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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #419039
Research Project: Development and Implementation of Biological Control Programs for Natural Area Weeds in the Southeastern United States

Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

Title: Immature stages of Mesophleps Albilinella (Park, 1990) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): with an evaluation for biocontrol of downy rose myrtle, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Myrtaceae) in Florida

Author
item ADAMSKI, DAVID - Smithsonian Institute
item Smith, Melissa
item BARR, KANE - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item WRIGHT, SUSAN - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item BROWN, BRADLEY - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
item MAKINSON, JEFFREY - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Submitted to: Journal of Lepidopterists Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/26/2024
Publication Date: 11/27/2024
Citation: Adamski, D., Smith, M., Barr, K.L., Wright, S.A., Brown, B.T., Makinson, J.R. 2024. Immature stages of Mesophleps Albilinella (Park, 1990) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): with an evaluation for biocontrol of downy rose myrtle, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Myrtaceae) in Florida. Journal of Lepidopterists Society. 78(4):234-244. https://doi.org/10.18473/lepi.78i4.a2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18473/lepi.78i4.a2

Interpretive Summary: Herein we describe the immature stages of a leptidopteran stem borer, Mesophleps albinella. This species has only been described by a few adult individuals, without having any description for immature stages.

Technical Abstract: Abstract.- The immature stages of Mesophleps albilinella (Park, 1990) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) are described herein. Host records for this species were unknown until larvae were collected feeding on seeds within seed capsules of Downy Rose Myrtle, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. (Myrtaceae) in Hong Kong, China. Collection sites in Hong Kong are superimposed on a country map and are listed in tabular format. A photograph of a containment cage, used for feeding, mating, and oviposition is provided. Images and scanning electron micrographs of the egg and larva are supplemented with chaetotaxal maps, including the pupa. A laboratory culture of M. albilinella facilitated the description of all immature life stages. Though M. albilinella was collected as a potentional biological control agent against R. tomentosa in Florida, it was abandoned due to lack of host specificity during initial host range tests.