Biology and Behavior of the South American Moth, Cyanotricha necyria (Felder and Rogenhofer) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), a Potential Biocontrol Agent in Hawaii of the Forest Weed, Passiflora mollissima (HBK) Bailey

Abstract

The life cycle of the moth Cyanotricha necyria was studied at ambient outdoor temperatures in a quarantine facility at 1.140 m (3,800 ft.) on the island of Hawaii lo determine if the insert would be a suitable biological control agent for the forest weed Passiflora mollissima. This moth deposits eggs in clusters on the underside of 2- to 4-week-old leaves; first-instar larvae feed gregariously al the leaf margin, but second instars disperse and become solitary. The larvae pass through four instars before pupation. The cocoon is a thin, semi-transparent net-like structure and is spun in a crevice or enclosed in a folded leaf. At ambient outdoor temperatures, total development from egg to adult required 90 days in summer and 120 days in winter. Mating occurred between 5 and 10 days after females emerged, and maximum egg production was achieved between 10 and 25 days. Females lived an average of 32 days with a few surviving and laying eggs, for up to 45 days. Egg production in breeding colonies in the laboratory averaged 3.7 eggs per female per day with an average female laying a total of 67 eggs. However, in both laboratory and field collected eggs, fertility averaged between 45 and 55%. Among field-collected larvae and pupae, 10 to 100% were parasitized by three species of Hymenoptera.