Xylorictid Wood Moths Common Name Xylorictid Wood Moth the Majority of the 275 Named Australian Species from More Than 52 Genera Genus Within This Family Are Borers

Xylorictid Wood Moths Common Name Xylorictid Wood Moth The majority of the 275 named Australian species from more than 52 genera Genus within this family are borers. Two of the larger Genus are Xylorycta and Cryptophasa (meaning eating in private), Family Xyorictidae Order Lepidoptera Life cycle As with all Lepidoptera this family undergoes complete metamorphosis Damage is done by the larvae that feeds at night along the margins of the wound and retreats during the day to a frass covered “tunnel”. Host Most moths in this family are oligophagous. There is a large number of species that attack an even larger number of species of trees including, amongst others, Prunus spp., Acer palmatum, Ceratapetulum spp., Hakea spp., Acacia spp. Most species bore a tunnel for habitat and feed on the phloem surrounding the tunnel. Other species bore only in the outer bark of the tree. Identifying Most commonly feeding at branch junctions the caterpillar makes a covering features by webbing wood borings and frass together. The caterpillars have legs and prolegs, which easily distinguishes them from other xylophagous larvae. The colour of the larva varies considerably but generally not decorative. Symptoms Branches that die off usually at a branch junction as the result of ringbarking of the branch caused by the feeding habits of the larvae Signs Webbed frass usually located at branch junctions particularly at included junctions or at branch junctions on trees that are stressed. Large sections of phloem missing with the limb often becoming completely girdled over time. Chemical The easiest treatment involves brushing off or otherwise removing the control webbed frass and spraying the area of the damage and the surrounding 25 – 50 mm with a garden surface spray (I have use Mortein outdoor barrier spray with good results). The use of over the counter injection systems often sold for this purpose should be considered inappropriate if for no other reason than the toxicity of the chemical used. Biological As with all insects there is always something that will eat or parasitise it but Control generally once its tunnel is covered it appears to be relatively safe. IPM The larva does not generally establish itself in trees that are in good health. Likewise if health issues for the tree are resolved then reinfestation is significantly reduced (personal observations). Other This is one of two groups of wood moths. (Xylorictid and Cossid). Cossid Information wood moths are easily distinguished from Xylorictid wood moths because of the absence of external workings and covering, instead spending their entire life boring internally within the plant. Perhaps the best-known cossids are the Australian Goad Moth and the Giant Cossid Wood moth or witchetty grub. References: · http://australian-insects.com/lepidoptera/xylo/xyloryctidae.html · A Guide to Australian Moths - Zborowski, Paul, & Edwards, Ted · http://www-staff.it.uts.edu.au/~don/larvae/moths.html Herbison-Evans, Don, & Crossley, Stella, updated 9th April 2009 · The Insects of Australia – A Textbook for Students and Research Workers Sponsored by The Division of Entomology Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Australia - Melbourne University Press – 1979 Text and images by Mark Hartley © 2009 Webbed frass and damage last year’s and this years damage Maroga melanostigma larva in feeding position Maroga melanostigma ready for pupating Xyleutes decorata Cryptophasa ecclesiastis Text and images by Mark Hartley © 2009 .

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