Tirathaba rufivena
| Coconut spike moth | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Pyralidae |
| Genus: | Tirathaba |
| Species: | T. rufivena
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tirathaba rufivena | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
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Tirathaba rufivena, the coconut spike moth, greater coconut spike moth or oil palm bunch moth, is a moth of the family Pyralidae. It is found from south-east Asia to the Pacific islands, including Malaysia, the Cook Islands, the Philippines and the tropical region of Queensland, Australia.[2] They are considered as a minor pest.
Description
[edit ]Its wingspan is about 26–30 millimetres (1–1+1⁄4 in). More or less developed annuli at middle and end of the cell connected by a white streak, sometimes with a spot in base of cell also joined by the white streak. The inner margin, vein 1, the interno-median interspace and veins beyond lower angle of cell streaked with crimson. A dark marginal line. The hindwings are plain pale yellow or orange yellow.[3]
Ecology and attack
[edit ]The larvae are an agricultural pest that feeds on Cocos nucifera , Nypa fruticans , Elaeis guineensis , Musa species, and Phaseolus species. Usually the caterpillar attacks male flowers where infestation causes abortion of young and results in underdeveloped fruits. A severe attack can wilt the plant and delay plant development. They are not borers, and only show external feeding.[4] [5]
Control
[edit ]
Biological control is the most effective method of controlling both larval and egg stages. Many different strains of parasites and pathogens are used. The pathogens such as Beauveria bassiana , and Metarhizium anisopliae are also used in many regions. An ichneumonid Venturia palmaris are experimented in Malaysia, where they attack larva in November and December.[4]
Agrophylax basifulva , a tachinid fly, is a known parasitoid used in Fiji which has not been successfully used elsewhere because of difficulties in rearing sufficient numbers.[6] Another unsuccessful potential biocontrol is the entomoparasitic nematode Steinernema feltiae .[7]
Other than that, hand picking and other traditional methods are used in many countries.[citation needed ]
References
[edit ]- ^ "Tortricidae.com". Tortricidae.com. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
- ^ Herbison-Evans, Don & Crossley, Stella (22 March 2015). "Tirathaba rufivena (Walker, 1864) Greater Coconut Spike Moth". Australian Caterpillars and their Butterflies and Moths. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ Hampson, G. F. (1896). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Vol. Moths Volume IV. Taylor and Francis – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ a b "Coconut spike moth (Tirathaba rufivena)". Plantwise Knowledge Bank. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
- ^ Herbison-Evans, Don & Crossley, Stella (22 March 2015). "Tirathaba rufivena (Walker, 1864) Greater Coconut Spike Moth". Australian Caterpillars and their Butterflies and Moths. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ Godfray, H. C. J. (1985). "Mass rearing the tachinid fly argyrophylax basifulva, a parasitoid of the greater coconut spike moth [Tirathaba spp.] [Lep.: Pyralidae]". Entomophaga . 30 (3): 211–215. doi:10.1007/BF02372221. ISSN 0013-8959.
- ^ Zelazny, B. (1985). "Susceptibility of two Coconut Pests, Oryctes rhinoceros [Col.: Scarabaeidae] and Tirathaba rufivena [Lep.: Pyralidae], to the entomoparasitic nematode Steinernema feltiae [= Neoaplectana carpocapsae]". Entomophaga . 30 (2): 121–124. doi:10.1007/BF02372244. ISSN 0013-8959.