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Title: Sitochroa palealis: a Palearctic pyraustine moth (Pyraloidea: Crambidae) newly introduced to North America

Author
item PASSOA, STEVEN - APHIS
item BALOGH, GEORGE - MICHIGAN
item Solis, M Alma

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/9/2007
Publication Date: 5/25/2008
Citation: Passoa, S., Balogh, G., Solis, M.A. 2008. Sitochroa palealis: a Palearctic pyraustine moth (Pyraloidea: Crambidae) newly introduced to North America. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 110(2):504-515.

Interpretive Summary: Exotic snout moths introduced into the U.S., such as the European corn borer, cause millions of dollars of damage annually. We report the establishment of a species new to the U.S. in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin that feeds on plants of the celery family. We provide illustrations of the adults, their genitalia, and caterpillars for identification and comparison to a closely related native species. These results will be useful to biologists, state and federal quarantine organizations such as APHIS, state conservation agencies, and scientists studying the biological control of noxious weeds.

Technical Abstract: Sitochroa palealis (Denis & Schiffermüller) is recorded from North America for the first time. Adults were collected in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. The capture of larvae and adults in four states over a six-year period is strong evidence that S. palealis is established in North America. Characters separating S. palealis from other Sitochroa in North America are given. The potential impact of S. palealis to prairies, agriculture, and biocontrol of noxious weeds is discussed.