Scientific Notes 641

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (: ): New host records for Metanastria gemella (LEPIDOPTERA: LASIOCAMPIDAE) and Arna bipunctapex (LEPIDOPTERA: LYMANTRIIDAE)

Paul D. Pratt1,*, Jeff Makinson2, Matthew Purcell2, Michael G. Pogue3, Min B. Rayamajhi1 and Ted D. Center1 1USDA/ARS, Invasive Research Laboratory, 3225 College Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA

2USDA/ARS, Australian Biological Control Laboratory, CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, GPO Box 2583 Brisbane, Queensland, , 4001

3USDA/ARS, Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Smithsonian Institution, PO Box 37012, MRC-168, Washington, DC, 20013-7012, USA

*Corresponding author; E-mail: [email protected]

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. (Myr- fication. Eggs were placed in several petri dishes tales: Myrtaceae) is a long lived evergreen and held at 25 °C until hatching. To confirm that with large pink and edible . The na- R. tomentosa supports complete development of tive distribution of R. tomentosa includes much the species, neonates were transferred to 1 of 3 of southern and the (Langeland ventilated plastic containers and fed of the & Craddock Burks 1998). Beginning in the late target plant until pupation. Adults were identi- 1800s R. tomentosa was exported to various loca- fied asM etanastria gemella Lajonquiere (Lasio- tions worldwide, including the states of campidae), a species whose geographic range in- and in the USA. The exotic shrub has es- cludes Sundaland, Palawan, and southern caped cultivation in both locations and invaded (Holloway 1987). The host range of M. gemella is natural areas where it displaces native vegeta- poorly understood but Holloway (1987) postulates tion (Langeland & Craddock Burks 1998). The de- that this species has a similar diet breadth as its velopment of a biological control program target- congener Metanastria hyrtaca Cramer, which is a ing R. tomentosa has resulted in several surveys broad generalist. To our knowledge, the only host for host specific natural enemies in the plant’s of M. gemella reported in the literature is the native range (Krauss 1966; Winotai et al. 2005). plantation tree Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Recently, 2 lepidopteran species were discovered Bosser (Gentianales: Rubiaceae) in Sandakan, feeding on R. tomentosa during surveys in China. (Chung et al. 2009). These data clearly On 30 Mar 2012, 43 larvae of a lasiocampid spe- demonstrate that R. tomentosa is a developmen- cies were observed resting as a communal group tal host of M. gemella and lends evidence that the on R. tomentosa branches near Kau Tam Tso (N species is a generalist, feeding on species across 22° 30.248’ E 114° 15.045’) in the Wu Kau Tang at least 2 plant families. It should also be noted area of , China. Larvae regurgitated a that 4 tachinid flies emerged fromM . gemella droplet of partially digested fluid when collected pupae and were identified asB lepharipa sp. by or when disturbed. While branches near the rest- Norman E. Woodley of the Systematic Entomol- ing group were defoliated, larvae were held in a ogy Laboratory (SEL), ARS, USDA, Smithson- plastic container (10 × 10 × 5 cm) with R. tomen- ian Institution, Washington, DC, USA. Voucher tosa leaves to confirm that they consumed the tar- specimens are lodged at the SEL. get plant. Following positive results, larvae were On 4 Jun 2012 ca. 100 small orange lymant- shipped on 2 Apr 2012 to the quarantine facility riid larvae were observed feeding on R. tomoen- at the United States Department of Agriculture tosa near Shitan, Guangxi Province, China (N (USDA), Agriculture Research Service (ARS), In- 21° 48.273’ E 108° 58.106’). Larvae were shipped vasive Plant Research Lab (IPRL) in Fort Lau- under the permit listed above to the IPRL quar- derdale, Florida USA under permit # P-09-02955. antine facility on 18 Jun 2012. Larvae were fed Upon arrival, larvae were placed within a venti- R. tomentosa leaves in a cage similar to that de- lated clear plastic container (50 × 50 × 50 cm) pro- scribed above and remained gregarious through- visioned exclusively with R. tomentosa foliage un- out their development. When disturbed, larvae til pupation. General maintenance of the colony wagged their heads and thoraces from side to resulted in several instances of larval setae im- side in an apparently defensive behavior. Pupa- bedding in human skin, although no prolonged ir- tion occurred within light yellow silken cocoons ritation occurred. Larvae rested communally dur- and the resulting adults were mated; dead adults ing the day and fed at night. The resulting adults were preserved for identification. No parasitoids mated within the cage and oviposition ensued 4 were recovered from the colony. Eggs arising from days later; dead adults were preserved for identi- the adults were light yellow and covered in the 642 Florida Entomologist 96(2) June 2013 yellow scales of the female. Neonates were trans- especies de lepidópteros que no han sido previa- ferred to several plastic cages and fed exclusively mente reportados como herbívoros de la planta: R. tomentosa until pupation, demonstrating that Metanastria gemella Lajonquiere (Lasiocam- the target weed is a developmental host. Adults of pidae) y Arna bipunctapex Hampson (Lyman- the lymantriid larvae were identified as Arna bi- triidae). Varias generaciones de ambas especies punctapex Hampson, a species that occurs across fueron criadas sobre R. tomentosa en un labo- , from to and Sun- ratorio de cuarentena, lo que demuestra que la daland. Hosts of this species include representa- planta es un hospedero en que estas especies tives from 12 families, although R. tomentosa is pueden desarrollarse. Sin embargo, las dos espe- not among the recorded food (Holloway cies no demostraron una suficiente especificidad 1987; Robinson et al. 2012). Voucher specimens sobre el hospedero para ser considerados en el are lodged at the SEL. control biológico de R. tomentosa en los EE.UU.

Palabras Clave: control biológico, herbívoros, Summary especificidad del hospedador, especies invasoras, Surveys for host specific natural enemies of rosa mirto Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Myrtales: Myrtaceae), rose myrtle, in China (mainland and Hong Kong) References Cited resulted in the discovery of 2 lepidopteran spe- cies that have not been previously reported as Chung, A. Y. C., Ajik, M., Nilus, R., Hastie, A., Ong, herbivores of the plant: Metanastria gemella La- R. C., and Chey, V. K. 2009. New records of insects jonquiere (Lasiocampidae) and Arna bipunctapex associated with Laran (Neolamarckia cadamba) in Hampson (Lymantriidae). Multiple generations Sabah. Sepilok Bull. 10: 45-63. Holloway, J. D. 1987. The Moths of Borneo. Southene of both species were reared on R. tomentosa in Sdn Bhd. Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. http://www. a quarantine laboratory, demonstrating that the mothsofborneo.com/. (Accessed: 28 Aug 2012). plant is a developmental host. However, neither Krauss, N. L. H. 1966. Biological control investigations species demonstrates sufficient host specificity to on some Hawaiian weeds. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. be considered for biological control of R. tomen- Soc. 19: 223-231. tosa in the USA. Langeland, K. A., and Craddock Burks, K. 1998. Identi- Key Words: biological control, herbivores, host fication and biology of non-native plants in Florida’s specificity, invasive species, rose myrtle natural areas. Univ. of Florida. 165 pp. Robinson, G. S., Ackery, P. R., Kitching, I. J., Beccaloni, G. W., and Hernández, L. M. 2010. HOSTS - A Data- Resumen base of the world’s lepidopteran hostplants. Natural History Museum, London. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/ Un sondeo de los enemigos naturales espe- hosts. (Accessed: 28 Aug. 2012). cíficos deRhodomyrtus tomentosa (Myrtales: Winotai, A., Wright, T., and Goolsby, J. A. 2005. Her- Myrtaceae), rosa mirto, en China (continental y bivores in Thailand on Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Hong Kong) resultó en el descubrimiento de dos (Myrtaceae), an invasive weed in Florida. Florida Entomol. 88: 104-105.