Host specificity ofPareuchaetes insulata (Lep.: Arctiidae), a biological control agent forChromolaena odorata (Compositae)

Larvae of the arctiid moth,Pareuchaetes insulata, from Florida fed on the leaves ofChromolaena odorata, a serious composite, alien weed in Natal, South Africa. In starvation test trials using 48 plant species,P. insulata completed its development onC. odorata andAgeratum houstonianum. Subsequent attempts to cultureP. insulata on these two plants was only successful onC. odorata. The biology ofP. insulata is similar to that of two other well studiedPareuchaetes species namelyP. pseudoinsulata andP. aurata aurata. Repeated defoliation ofC. odorata byP. insulata could contribute to its control as has been found withP. pseudoinsulata in Guam.Pareuchaetes insulata has been approved for release as a biological control agent ofC. odorata in South Africa.