Morphology, Biology and Control Possibilities of Two Argyresthia species – A. thuiella and A. trifasciata (Lepidoptera: Argyresthiidae)

Abstract

The bionomics of Argyresthia thuiella (Packard, 1871) and A. trifasciata Staudinger, 1871 was studied on ornamental conifers in southern Moravia, Czech Republic. Argyresthia thuiella overwinters as caterpillar inside twigs and pupates the following spring there. Moths are on the wing during June until the beginning of July. Argyresthia trifasciata adults were observed from mid May till the beginning of June. Its larvae reach the stage of maturity from October to December. They pupate in the debris under trees. Both species develop one generation annually. Argyresthia thuiella was found on Thuja occidentalis, T. plicata and Chamaecyparis lawsoniana; A. trifasciata on Juniperus virginiana, J. chinensis, J. sabina, J. × media, J. squamata and J. horizontalis. Both species cause mainly aesthetic damage to plants. Stronger attack of Argyresthia may cause damage to trees. Control possibilities were tested on both species. The chaetotaxy of these species was first done in this experiment.

Keywords

• <i>Argyresthia</i>
• control
• Cupressaceae
• larval chaetotaxie