The Biology of Casmara Subagronoma (Lepidoptera
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insects Article The Biology of Casmara subagronoma (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae), a Stem-Boring Moth of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Myrtaceae): Descriptions of the Previously Unknown Adult Female and Immature Stages, and Its Potential as a Biological Control Candidate Susan A. Wineriter-Wright 1, Melissa C. Smith 1,* , Mark A. Metz 2 , Jeffrey R. Makinson 3 , Bradley T. Brown 3, Matthew F. Purcell 3, Kane L. Barr 4 and Paul D. Pratt 5 1 USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA; [email protected] 2 USDA-ARS Systematic Entomology Lab, Beltsville, MD 20013-7012, USA; [email protected] 3 USDA-ARS Australian Biological Control Laboratory, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia; jeff[email protected] (J.R.M.); [email protected] (B.T.B.); [email protected] (M.F.P.) 4 USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; [email protected] 5 USDA-ARS, Western Regional Research Center, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-954-475-6549 Received: 27 August 2020; Accepted: 16 September 2020; Published: 23 September 2020 Simple Summary: Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is a perennial woody shrub throughout Southeast Asia. Due to its prolific flower and fruit production, it was introduced into subtropical areas such as Florida and Hawai’i, where it is now naturalized and invasive. In an effort to find sustainable means to control R. tomentosa, a large-scale survey was mounted for biological control organisms. During these surveys, we found Casmara subagronoma, a stem-boring moth in Hong Kong and began to test its host affinity to R. tomentosa. Casmara subagronoma is only known from two male specimens from Vietnam and Indonesia, so in addition to host range tests, we also describe the female and immature life stages in this manuscript. Casmara subagronoma completes its life cycle in nearly 18 months and requires large, whole plants to do so. While R. tomentosa is likely the preferred host, C. subagronoma also completed its development on Myrcianthes fragrans, a Florida native, and Myrtus communis. The knowledge gained about this genus and its biology are quite valuable, but C. subagronoma will not be pursued for a biological control agent due to its long life cycle, difficult rearing protocols, and potentially broad host range. Abstract: Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is a perennial shrub native to Southeast Asia and is invasive in South Florida and Hawai’i, USA. During surveys of R. tomentosa in Hong Kong from 2013–2018 for potential biological control agents, we collected larvae of the stem borer, Casmara subagronoma. Larvae were shipped in stems to a USDA-ARS quarantine facility where they were reared and subjected to biology studies and preliminary host range examinations. Casmara subagronoma is the most recent Casmara species to be described from males collected in Vietnam and Indonesia. Because the original species description was based on only two male specimens, we also provide a detailed description of the female, egg, larva, and pupa. Finally, we conducted preliminary host range trials utilizing Myrtus communis, Myrcianthes fragrans, and Camellia sinensis. Casmara subagronoma emerged from M. fragrans, a Florida-native shrub, and larvae were able to survive in non-target stems Insects 2020, 11, 653; doi:10.3390/insects11100653 www.mdpi.com/journal/insects Insects 2020, 11, x 2 of 22 Insectsutilizing2020 ,Myrtus11, 653 communis, Myrcianthes fragrans, and Camellia sinensis. Casmara subagronoma emerged2 of 20 from M. fragrans, a Florida-native shrub, and larvae were able to survive in non-target stems for over a year (>400 days). Based on these findings and difficulty in rearing, we do not believe C. for over a year (>400 days). Based on these findings and difficulty in rearing, we do not believe subagronoma is a suitable insect for biological control of R. tomentosa at this time, but may warrant C. subagronoma is a suitable insect for biological control of R. tomentosa at this time, but may warrant further study. This investigation also illustrates the importance of host surveys for conservation and further study. This investigation also illustrates the importance of host surveys for conservation and taxonomic purposes. taxonomic purposes. Keywords: Casmara subagronoma; Rhodomyrtus tomentosa; stem borer; biological control of weeds; Keywords: Casmara subagronoma; Rhodomyrtus tomentosa; stem borer; biological control of weeds; Myrtaceae; Gelechioidea Myrtaceae; Gelechioidea 1.1. Introduction Introduction RhodomyrtusRhodomyrtus tomentosa tomentosa (Aiton)(Aiton) Hassk. Hassk. (Myrtaceae) (Myrtaceae) is is an an evergreen evergreen shrub shrub native native throughout throughout SoutheastSoutheast Asia Asia and and invasive invasive in in Florida Florida and and Hawai’i Hawai’i [1,2]. [1,2]. RhodomyrtusRhodomyrtus tomentosa tomentosa (downy(downy rose rose myrtle) myrtle) waswas widely exportedexported from from Southeast Southeast Asia, Asia, beginning beginning in the in late the 1800s late primarily 1800s primarily for use as for an ornamentaluse as an ornamentalplant, but alsoplant, for but its also edible for fruitsits edible [3] (Figure fruits [3]1). (Figure More recently, 1). More R.recently, tomentosa R. tomentosahas been has the been target the of targetextensive of extensive speculation speculatio for medicinaln for medicinal extracts [extracts4]. [4]. Figure 1. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa infestation in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA (left) and a close-up Figure 1. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa infestation in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA (left) and a close-up of the attractive flower from which is derives the common name, downy rose myrtle (right) (photos: of the attractive flower from which is derives the common name, downy rose myrtle (right) (photos: M.C. Smith). M.C. Smith). Downy rose myrtle escaped cultivation in Hawaii and Florida by at least the 1940s, and by the 1960sDowny was a rose proposed myrtle target escaped of biologicalcultivation control in Hawaii efforts and [ 5Florida,6]. Extensive by at least surveys the 1940s, have and been by done the 1960sthroughout was a theproposed native rangetarget inof China, biological Hong control Kong andefforts Thailand [5,6]. Extensive [7–9]. Several surveys new insectshave been have done been throughoutdescribed and the severalnative range of these in China, have been Hong investigated Kong and Thailand for their suitability[7–9]. Several in biological new insects control have [been7–13]. describedHowever, and each several of these of hasthese proven have tobeen be insuinvestigatedfficiently for host-specific their suitability and therefore in biological unsuitable control for [7–13]. use in However,the biological each control of these of has downy proven rose to myrtle. be insufficiently host-specific and therefore unsuitable for use in theCasmara biological subagronoma control of Lvovskydowny rose (Lepidoptera: myrtle. Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae) is prevalent on mature R. tomentosaCasmara throughoutsubagronoma Hong Lvovsky Kong including(Lepidoptera: Lantau Gelechioidea: Island, Shing Oecophoridae) Mun and Sai Kung is prevalent (J. Makinson, on maturepersonal R. communication).tomentosa throughout At R. Hong tomentosa Kongsurvey including sites, Lant otherau shrub Island, species Shing showing Mun and similar Sai Kung damage (J. Makinson,patterns were personal often surveyed, communication). but C. subagronoma At R. tomentosahas not beensurvey recorded sites, fromother other shrub species. species All describedshowing similarCasmara damagelarvae patterns feed on thewere pith often and surveyed, xylem, leaving but C. insubagronoma their wake has dead not hollowed been recorded stems (Chen,from other 1958 species.and others). All described Hollowed Casmara branches larvae break feed easily, on the revealingpith and xylem, the bore leaving holes. in At their periodic wake dead short hollowed intervals, stemslarvae (Chen, feed deeper 1958 and into others). the sides Hollowed of stems, branches but not tobreak the exterior,easily, revealing forming the round bore sinks holes. for At the periodic deposit shortof frass intervals, and are larvae subsequently feed deeper closed into o theff by sides webbing. of stems, Live but woody not to stemsthe exterior, provide forming food and round shelter sinks to fordeveloping the deposit larvae. of frass Most and species are subsequently take many monthsclosed off or yearsby webbing. to complete Live woody their life stems cycle. provide food and shelterTwenty-one to developing stem borer larvae. species Most have species been take described many andmonths placed or years in the to genus completeCasmara theirWalker life cycle. 1863 (Lepidoptera:Twenty-one Gelechioidea: stem borer species Oecophoridae). have been Species described in the and genus placed range in throughthe genus eastern Casmara Asia Walker (China, 1863Japan, (Lepidoptera: Korea) [14–22 Gelechioidea:], Southeastern Oecophoridae). Asia (India, Indonesia, Species in Malaysia, the genus Thailand, range through and Vietnam) eastern [22 Asia–28], New Guinea [29], and Northern Queensland, Australia [30]. The last species identified and described Insects 2020, 11, 653 3 of 20 was Casmara subagronoma Lvovsky based on two males, one from Sumatra, Indonesia (collected in 1982) and another from Northern Vietnam [22]. Host associations for only three species of Casmara are