Biology of Simyra Henrici (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Southwest Florida

Abstract

Field and laboratory studies on the life history of Simyra henrici were conducted to determine some aspects of its population dynamics, host specificity and associated parasites in southwest Florida. The seasonal occurrence of immature S. henrici feeding on Typha at three sites in Lee County Florida was monitored for a two year period. Eight species of parasites representing six families were reared from field collected eggs, larvae and pupae of which four represent new parasite records for S. henrici. The seasonal occurrence of the parasites and other behavioral associations with the host S. henrici were also determined. Tests with second and fifth instar larvae on five species of plants indicated that S. henrici can complete development on Polygonum hydropiperoides and Salix caroliniana in addition to its more common host plant Typha spp. The duration of the immature life stages for S. henrici reared on Typha was determined in the laboratory and head capsule width and body length measurements were made on larvae. The number of eggs oviposited in the laboratory ranged from 326-1703 per female. The potential for manipulating Typha density by a mass release of S. henrici is considered minimal.