Scientific name

Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata Rego Barros (=Ammalo insulata Walker)

Taxonomic position

Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Arctiidae

Images

Larva of P. pseudoinsulata  Larva of P. pseudoinsulata  Larva of P. pseudoinsulata Larva feeding on siam weed
prepupa of P. pseudoinsulata  Pupa of P. pseudoinsulata Prepupa and pupa
Adult of P. pseudoinsulata  Adult of P. pseudoinsulata Adult moth

Distribution

Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata has been widely released in tropical countries for the biological control of Siam weed, Chromolaena odorata. It is now widespread and locally abundant in Ghana, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Micronesia and the Philippines. Introduced in India thrice, in 1973, 1984 (from Trinidad) and 1987 (from Trinidad, via Sri Lanka). The first two introductions were failures, the third one has successfully established after release in the field in Kerala and Karnataka. Small populations of larvae are frequently encountered on chromolaena in the western ghats region of Kerala / Karnataka.

Hosts / Biology

The larvae feed on the foliage of Siam weed, Chromolaena odorata. It has been very effective in controlling chromolaena in some countries such as Ghana, Guam and Northern Mariana islands, but in Indian conditions, it has had limited or no impact on the weed.

References

  • Julien, M.H. 1992. Biological control of weeds - A world catalogue of agents and their target weeds. CAB International, Wallingford, U.K, 186 p.
  • Singh, S.P. 1989. Biological suppression of weeds. Biological Control Centre, NCIPM, Faridabad. Technical Bulletin (1), 27 p.