Importation and Preliminary Evaluation of the Stem Boring Moth Buakea kaeuae1 as a Potential Biological Control Agent of Invasive Guineagrass, Megathyrsus maximus2

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Southwestern Entomologist

Name of Author

Ann T. Vacek, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
John A. Goolsby, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS)
Paul Andre Calatayud, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Bruno Le Ru, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Boaz Musyoka, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Rupesh R. Kariyat, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Publication Date

3-1-2021

Abstract

Guineagrass, Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K.Simon & S.W.L.Jacobs, is an African grass that is invasive in Florida, Hawaii, southern Texas, and northeastern Mexico. Buakea kaeuae Moyal et al., a stem-boring African moth found only on M. maximus, was imported from Kenya and evaluated for its ability to feed and develop on Guineagrass naturalized in southern Texas. Neither larvae nor adults developed or reproduced on Texas Guineagrass.

Recommended Citation

Vacek, A., Goolsby, J., Calatayud, P., Le Ru, B., Musyoka, B., & Kariyat, R. (2021). Importation and Preliminary Evaluation of the Stem Boring Moth Buakea kaeuae1 as a Potential Biological Control Agent of Invasive Guineagrass, Megathyrsus maximus2. Southwestern Entomologist, 46 (1), 257-259. https://doi.org/10.3958/059.046.0125