First record of Azalea rough bollworm, Earias roseifera (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) in Europe

Abstract

The first record of the Azalea rough bollworm, Earias roseifera Butler, 1881 in Europe is reported. Larvae were collected on twigs, sprouts and buds of several azalea hybrids growing in a botanical garden in the province of Como (Northern Italy). The larvae fed mainly on the flower and vegetative buds, which resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of blossom. Specimens were identified using both morphological characters and a molecular analysis of the DNA barcode (COX1 sequence).

Keywords

• lepidoptera
• nolidae
• azalea rough bollworm
• earias roseifera
• first record
• europe
• italy
• rhododendron
• dna barcoding