Common names:
|
No vernacular names were recorded |
Pest status:
|
The pest status is not established.
Plusia semi-looper adults are ocassionally seen at lights in Northern Namibia.
The caterpillars are found on bambaranut
plants |
Distribution:
|
This species has only been noted
(and looked for) at Mahenene Research Station, Omusati region on 26 March
2002. |
Description:
|
Attacks leaves of bambara groundnuts
(Vigna
subterranea) and possibly other vegetable crops. Leaves are spun together
two and two to cover the caterpillar. The affected leaf area turns silvery
or pale grey. The caterpillars move with a typical looping and measuring
action. They are 25-30 mm long, green with green stripes along the body.
(Description is
based on literature as the caterpillars were not found in the sample)
The young pupae are pale green and
attached in a loose cocoon to the leaf. The pupae is 20 mm long.
The adult moth has a wing span 37
mm.
|
Control:
|
No control is advised until the
pest status is determined. |
Other notes:
|
Thanks to Werner Schenkel and Teresia
Kaulihova for taking photos and bringing in more samples of the two moths
that are mining on Bambaranut leaves.
Chrysodeixis acuta is "pest
of the month" at CABI which shows a comprehensive distribution list for
this species. The page is difficult to find but try to search for the species
on the search engines. |
