Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
formerly included in the genus Sameodes
Identification
Adult: forewing golden yellow speckled with gray, and with gray and blackish shading beyond PM line and in strip along costa; PM line sharply and deeply indented near inner margin, and with conspicuous white spots along its length; discal spot white, squarish, bordered above and below by black-rimmed spot filled with ground color; hindwing bright yellow with prominent black discal spot and thick white jagged PM line, edged with black on both sides; abodomen reddish-brown with white band at base of each segment
Larva: first instar larvae have a brown body with dark brown to black heads; later instars are cream-colored with scattered dark brown spots and dark orange heads; larvae are rarely seen because they are normally hidden inside the host plant
Range
Florida and along gulf coast to Louisiana
native to the Amazon basin; introduced as a biological control agent of Water Hyacinth
Habitat
wet areas where Water Hyacinth grows
Food
larvae bore in stems (petioles) and leaf buds of
Common Water Hyacinth (
Eichhornia crassipes)
Remarks
Niphograpta albiguttalis was released at 20 sites in Florida in 1976 in an attempt to control the spread of water hyacinth, which clogs tropical waterways. The moth became established at or near 16 sites and continues to spread beyond those sites.
The species has also been introduced to Africa and Australia. Introductions have had mixed results, and there are other insects (such as the weevils Neochetina eichhorniae and N. bruchi) that have been found to be more effective in controlling the spread of water hyacinth.
Internet References
live adult image of
N. albiguttalis, and biology (U. of Florida)
live adult image of
N. albiguttalis, and distribution in Australia (CSIRO, Govt. of Australia)
description of all life stages plus biology, synonym, native distribution, and other info (United State Army)
distribution of
N. albiguttalis in North America, and effectiveness in controlling water hyacinth (U. of California at Davis)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 25 April, 2006 - 5:27pm
Additional contributions by
Kyhl AustinLast updated 2 April, 2016 - 8:18pm