Banisia argutula (Lepidoptera: Thyrididae) is the dominant sapodilla borer in southern Florida

Authors

  • Jose I. Martinez Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA University of Florida, Tropical Research and Education Center, 18905 SW 280th Street, Homestead, FL 33031, USA McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
  • James E. Hayden Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, 1911 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
  • John B. Heppner McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
  • Jorge E. Peña Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA University of Florida, Tropical Research and Education Center, 18905 SW 280th Street, Homestead, FL 33031, USA
  • Lei Xiao McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
  • Daniel Carrillo Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA University of Florida, Tropical Research and Education Center, 18905 SW 280th Street, Homestead, FL 33031, USA

Keywords:

Manilkara zapota, flower-borer, fruit-borer, Banisia myrsusalis, leaf-roller

Abstract

Banisia myrsusalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Thyrididae) has been regarded as the most damaging pest of sapodilla, Manilkara zapota (L.) van Royen (Sapotaceae), in Florida, where it causes extensive damage to blooms. Two commercial sapodilla groves were surveyed for lepidopteran eggs and larvae affecting floral buds and mature flowers. All collected specimens were raised in the laboratory until adult emergence. A careful revision of reared individuals and specimens deposited in institutional collections since 1990 brought into question the identity of Banisia species affecting sapodilla in southern Florida. Specimens initially identified as B. myrsusalis are herein re-identified as Banisia argutula Whalley, based on female and male genitalic characters. Total DNA was extracted from 2 specimens raised in the survey and the COI gene sequence determined and deposited in GenBank. Larvae of B. argutula were observed chewing holes in the base of floral buds or mature flowers, entering the flower, and consuming all floral structures except the sepals. A single larva would tend to clump several flowers and floral buds together by using silk. Larvae could also fold leaves or bore into the fruit and could complete their immature development feeding on folded leaves, flowers, or inside a fruit. In contrast, B. myrsusalis is reported as strictly a leaf-folder. Banisia myrsusalis was found to be a minor part of the sapodilla pest complex. Banisia argutula was the dominant sapodilla borer in southern Florida.


Resumen
Banisia myrsusalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Thyrididae) ha sido considerado como la plaga más dañina del zapote Manilkara zapota (L.) van Royen (Sapotaceae) en Florida, causando un excesivo daño a las florez. Dos huertos comerciales de zapote fueron monitoreados debido a que huevos y larvas de lepidópteros afectaban los brotes florales y las flores maduras. Todos los especímenes colectados fueron criados en el laboratorio hasta la emergencia del adulto. Una revisión minuciosa de los especímenes criados y de los especímenes depositados en colecciones institucionales desde 1990, puso en cuestión la identidad de la especie de Banisia que afectaba al zapote en el sur de Florida. Especímenes identificados inicialmente como B. myrsusalis son aquí re-identificados como Banisia argutula Whalley basado en las características de la genitalia del macho y la hembra. El ADN total fue extraído de dos especímenes criados en el estudio y la secuencia de COI fue determinada y depositada en GeneBank. Las larvas de B. argutula fueron observadas masticando agujeros en la base de los brotes florales y flores maduras, entrando a las flores y consumiendo todas las estructuras florales excepto los sépalos. Una simple larva tiende a agrupar varias flores y brotes florales usando seda. Las larvas pueden incluso enrollar las hojas o perforar dentro de los frutos, y pueden completar su desarrollo inmaduro alimentándose de hojas dobladas, flores o dentro de un fruto. En contraste, B. mysusalis está reportada estrictamente como enrollador de hojas. Banisia myrsusalis fue encontrada como una parte minoritaria del complejo de plagas de zapote. Banisia argutula es el perforador de zapote común en el Sur de Florida.

 

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Author Biography

Daniel Carrillo, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA University of Florida, Tropical Research and Education Center, 18905 SW 280th Street, Homestead, FL 33031, USA

Assistant Professor

Department of Entomology and Nematology

Tropical Research and Education Center

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Published

2017-04-16

Issue

Vol. 100, No. 1 (March 2017)

Section

Research Papers

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