Biology
The caterpillars of this moth are common defoliators of field
bindweed in Europe. It has 2 or 3 generations per year in
southern Europe. The average time from egg to adult is 45.6
days in laboratory conditions. There are five larval instars.
Adult females lay an average of over 400 eggs (Rosenthal et
al. 1988).
History
The work by Rosenthal (1978, 1983) and Rosenthal et al. (1988)
on host plant testing and basic biology include the more important
work on this insect. The work by Ciomperlik et al. (1992)
is the only work in Texas.
Status
Attempts at establishing this insect in Texas have been made
in Texas (Ciomperlik et al. 1992). However, the red imported
fire ant interfered with the establishment and reproduction
of this moth.
Management
It was necessary to control red imported fire ant to allow
this moth to develop in the field (Ciomperlik et al. 1988).
This will limit the widespread use of this moth for biological
control in much of Texas.
Weeds Affected
The primary plant affected is field bindweed. However, in
the laboratory, larvae were able to feed on Calystegia
spp. which are native to North American. After this was evaluated,
Tyta luctuosa was cleared for release in the U. S.
but not in the Pacific coastal states because of this concern
(Rosenthal 1983).
Literature
Boldt, P.E. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural
Research Service, Grasslands Research Laboratory, 808 Blackland
Road, Temple, Texas 76502, United States of America.
Rosenthal, S.S., Clement, S.L., Hostettler, N., Mimmocchi,
T. 1988. Biology of Tyta luctuosa and its potential
value as a biological control agent for the weed Convolvulus
arvensis. Entomophaga 33, 185-192.
Reference
Ciomperlik, M. A., J. M. Chandler, and C. J. DeLoach. 1992.
Predation by the red imported fire ant on Tyta luctuosa,
released for control of field bindweed. Southwestern Entomologist
17(3): 267-269.
Rosenthal, S. S. 1978. Host specificity of Tyta luctuosa
[Lep: Noctuidae], an insect associated with Convolvulus
arvensis. Entomophaga 23(4): 367-370.
Rosenthal, S. S. 1983. Importance of field bindweed in California.
Calif. Agric. 37:16-17.
Rosenthal, S. S., S. L. Clement, N. Hostettler and T. Mimmocchi.
1988. Biology of Tyta luctuosa [Lep: Noctuidae] and
its potential value as a biological control agent for the
weed Convolvulus arvensis. Entomophaga 33(2): 185-192.
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