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1 March 2017 Banisia argutula (Lepidoptera: Thyrididae) is the Dominant Sapodilla Borer in Southern Florida
Jose I. Martinez, James E. Hayden, John B. Heppner, Jorge E. Peña, Lei Xiao, Daniel Carrillo
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Banisia myrsusalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Thyrididae) has been regarded as the most damaging pest of sapodilla, Manilkara zapota (L.) van Royen (Sapotaceae), in Florida, where it causes extensive damage to blooms. Two commercial sapodilla groves were surveyed for lepidopteran eggs and larvae affecting floral buds and mature flowers. All collected specimens were raised in the laboratory until adult emergence. A careful revision of reared individuals and specimens deposited in institutional collections since 1990 brought into question the identity of Banisia species affecting sapodilla in southern Florida. Specimens initially identified as B. myrsusalis are herein re-identified as Banisia argutula Whalley, based on female and male genitalic characters. Total DNA was extracted from 2 specimens raised in the survey and the COI gene sequence determined and deposited in GenBank. Larvae of B. argutula were observed chewing holes in the base of floral buds or mature flowers, entering the flower, and consuming all floral structures except the sepals. A single larva would tend to clump several flowers and floral buds together by using silk. Larvae could also fold leaves or bore into the fruit and could complete their immature development feeding on folded leaves, flowers, or inside a fruit. In contrast, B. myrsusalis is reported as strictly a leaf-folder. Banisia myrsusalis was found to be a minor part of the sapodilla pest complex. Banisia argutula was the dominant sapodilla borer in southern Florida.

Jose I. Martinez, James E. Hayden, John B. Heppner, Jorge E. Peña, Lei Xiao, and Daniel Carrillo "Banisia argutula (Lepidoptera: Thyrididae) is the Dominant Sapodilla Borer in Southern Florida," Florida Entomologist 100(1), 57-62, (1 March 2017). https://doi.org/10.1653/024.100.0110
Published: 1 March 2017
KEYWORDS
Banisia myrsusalis
enrollador de hojas
flower-borer
fruit-borer
leaf-roller
Manilkara zapota
perforador de flores
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