Larvae of Nymphulinae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) associated with Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrocharitaceae) in North Queensland

Australian Nymphulinae are a diverse group of moths with aquatic caterpillars that probably play an important role in determining the composition and abundance of aquatic macrophytes in Australian freshwater systems. Less than 10% of the nymphuline larvae in Australia have been described. As part of...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Australian journal of entomology 2005-11, Vol.44 (4), p.354-363
Main Authors: Habeck, D.H, Balciunas, J.K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ambia
aquatic caterpillars
aquatic larvae
aquatic weeds
biological control agents
host plants
Hydrilla verticillata
Hydrocharitaceae
Hygraula
insect morphology
insect taxonomy
larvae
Lepidoptera
Margarosticha
Parapoynx
phytophagous insects
Pyralidae
taxonomic keys
Theila
weed biological control
weed control
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Australian Nymphulinae are a diverse group of moths with aquatic caterpillars that probably play an important role in determining the composition and abundance of aquatic macrophytes in Australian freshwater systems. Less than 10% of the nymphuline larvae in Australia have been described. As part of a project to develop biological control agents for hydrilla, Hydrilla verticillata, we encountered a variety of Nymphulinae larvae feeding on this and other aquatic plants. We illustrate, describe and provide a key to five species of Nymphulinae larvae (Ambia ptolycusalis (Walker), Parapoynx diminutalis Snellen, Hygraula nitens Butler, Margarosticha repititalis (Warren) and Theila siennata (Warren)) that feed on hydrilla in North Queensland. Information on their host plants also is included. Our field research indicates that none of these species should be considered as potential biological control agents for hydrilla.
ISSN:1440-6055
1326-6756
1440-6055
DOI:10.1111/j.1440-6055.2005.00503.x