Scientific Note: Ficus benjamina L. (Moraceae): a new exotic food plant for the Eucereon sylvius group (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in Alagoas, Brazil

Abstract

Despite a rich diversity of native Brazilian Ficus spp. (Moraceae) in the Amazon and the Atlantic forests, there are numerous non-native Ficus species that are raised or grown in public and private gardens that are consumed by phytophagous insects as host plants. These exotic plants can contribute to the persistence of native insect communities which are adapting to intensely modified environments. This study reports the exotic tree Ficus benjamina L. as the first host plant record for larvae of tiger moths of the Eucereon sylvius (Stoll, 1790) group.