Author
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Pogue, Michael |
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Submitted to: Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/2002 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Cutworm moths in the family Noctuidae are major agricultural pests causing billions of dollars of damage annully. An emerging pest in Mexico is a potential threat to sugar cane production in the United States. No illustrations of this species exists in the literature, therefore making it very difficult to identify this pest. A description of the adult, larva, egg, and pupa with illustrations showing the important diagnostic features is presented. It was also determined that the original genus name is a synonym of an earlier genus. Because of this generic name change, the sugar cane pest is now known to be closely related to other species of Scolecocampa which could contain potential pests. This will benefit scientists, extension agents, farmers, and action agencies such as APHIS, by saving time, possible costly control measures, and prevention of a sugar cane pest entering the United States. Technical Abstract: A sugar cane pest in Mexico, Scolecocampa mochisa (Schaus)(new combination), was originally described in the monotypic genus Saccharophagos Schaus (1923) which is considered a new synonym of Scolecoampa Guenee (1852). The adult and larva are illustrated. The genitalia, egg, and pupa are described and illustrated. The closely related species, Scolecocampa stygialis (Smith), is a new combination. |
