Biology
The life cycle is completed in 39 days. Female moths can
lay 200-300 eggs usually on the upper portions of the plant.
Larvae hatch on the foliage and later borer into the hollow
stems. Mature larvae are about 20 mm long and seal themselves
in a chamber in the stem to pupate. Larvae chew nearly through
the stem before they pupate leaving only a thin tissue for
the adult moth to escape from. Pupation takes about 10 days
at 23EC.
History
This borer was released in five states and has become widely
distributed.
Status
The alligatorweed stem borer is widely distributed but seems
to have the most impact in the northern ranges of alligatorweed.
Management
The adult moths are strong fliers and distribute themselves
well. When plants are attacked in conjunction with alligatorweed
flea beetle the damage seems to be greater than from either
species alone.
Weeds Affected
The larvae only feed on alligatorweed.
Literature
Coulson, J.R. 1977. Biological Control of Alligatorweed,
1959-1972. A review and evaluation. Technical Bulletin,
United States Department of Agriculture 1547, 98 pp.
Grodowitz, M. J., W. A. Johnson, T. D. Center, G. Buckingham,
and A. F. Cofrancesco, Jr. 1989. The use of biocontrol technology
for the management of introduced aquatic plants: A short course.
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District. Slide
set and manual. 117 pp.
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