Biology
Samea multiplicalis is native to southern Brazil
History
Room et al. (1984) report Samea multiplicalis releases
at three sites in Australia, where they became established
. They dispersed about 170 km in 20 months. Control of S.
molesta was not achieved at any of these sites. Forno
(1985, 1987) report releases in Australia in conjunction with
the salvinia weevil. It was also released and established
in Queensland (Sands and Kassulke 1984) but was not considered
effective. The moth did not reduce plant growth permanently
in any study site.
Status
Samea multiplicalis has not been released in the United
States.
Management
This moth is attacked by several parasites which may limit
its population growth. Like the salvinia weevil it is sensitive
to nitrogen levels of the plant.
Weeds Affected
Samea multiplicalis feeds on Salvinia molesta,
Pistia stratiotes, and probably other plants as well.
The host range does not seem to be well studied.
Literature
Forno, I. W. 1985. How quickly can insects control Salvinia
in the Tropics? Proc. 10th Asian-Pacific Weed Sci.
Conf., Chiang Mai, Thailand. Nov. 1985. P. 271-276.
Forno, I. W. 1987. Biological control of the floating fern,
Salvinia molesta in north-eastern Australia: plant-herbivore
interactions. Bull Ent. Res. 77: 9-17.
Oliver, J. D. 1993. A review of the biology of giant salvinia
(Salvinia molesta Mitchell). J. Aquat. Plant Manage.
31: 227-231.
Room, P. M., I. W. Forno, and M. F. J. Taylor. 1984. Establishment
in Australia of two insects for biological control of the
floating weed Salvinia molesta. Bull. Ent. Res. 74:
505-516.
Sands, D. P. A., and R. C. Kassulke. 1984. Samea multiplicalis
(Lep.: Pyralidae), for biological control of two water weeds,
Salvinia molesta and Pistia stratiotes in Australia.
Entomophaga 29: 267-273.
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