Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #288236
Title: Rhodomyrtus tomentosa: New host records for Metanastria gemella and Arna bipunctapex

Author
item Pratt, Paul
item MAKINSON, JEFF - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
item PURCELL, MATTHEW - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
item Pogue, Michael
item Rayamajhi, Min
item Center, Ted

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2013
Publication Date: 6/1/2013
Citation: Pratt, P.D., Makinson, J., Purcell, M., Pogue, M.G., Rayamajhi, M.B., Center, T.D. 2013. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa: New host records for Metanastria gemella and Arna bipunctapex. Florida Entomologist. 96(2):641-642. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.096.0235.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1653/024.096.0235

Interpretive Summary: Surveys for host specific natural enemies of R. tomentosa in China (mainland and Hong Kong) resulted in the discovery of two lepidopteran species that have not been previously reported as herbivores of the plant: Metanastria gemella and Arna bipunctapex. Multiple generations of both species were reared on R. tomentosa in a quarantine laboratory, demonstrating that the plant is a developmental host. However, neither species demonstrates sufficient host specificity to be considered for biological control of R. tomentosa in the USA.

Technical Abstract: Surveys for host specific natural enemies of R. tomentosa in China (mainland and Hong Kong) resulted in the discovery of two lepidopteran species that have not been previously reported as herbivores of the plant: M. gemella and A. bipunctapex. Multiple generations of both species were reared on R. tomentosa in a quarantine laboratory, demonstrating that the plant is a developmental host. However, neither species demonstrates sufficient host specificity to be considered for biological control of R. tomentosa in the USA.