Apatelodes

Packard, 1864

Species Guides

3

Apatelodes is a of in the Apatelodidae, first described by Packard in 1864. At least one , Apatelodes pandara, has been documented as a defoliating pest on African mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) in commercial plantations in Brazil. The genus is part of the superfamily Bombycoidea and has been observed in association with tree species in introduced ranges.

Apatelodes by (c) John P Friel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John P Friel. Used under a CC-BY license.Apatelodes by (c) Jake McCumber, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jake McCumber. Used under a CC-BY license.Apatelodes torrefacta by (c) Wildreturn, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Apatelodes: //ˌæpəˈtɛloʊdiːz//

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Images

Habitat

Commercial plantations of African mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) in Brazil have been documented as for at least one (A. pandara). Native habitat preferences for the remain insufficiently described.

Distribution

Brazil (documented for A. pandara on Khaya senegalensis). Native distribution of the is not clearly established in available sources.

Seasonality

Seasonal development has been documented for A. pandara in Brazilian plantations, though specific timing details are not provided.

Diet

Foliage of Khaya senegalensis (documented for A. pandara as a defoliating caterpillar). Diet for other in the is not established.

Host Associations

  • Khaya senegalensis - defoliatorFirst reported association; commercial plantation pest in Brazil

Life Cycle

Caterpillar stage documented as defoliating. Seasonal development noted in study of A. pandara, though specific details are not provided.

Behavior

Defoliating observed in A. pandara, causing damage to plantation trees of Khaya senegalensis.

Ecological Role

Pest insect causing defoliation damage in commercial African mahogany plantations. Part of an emerging pest complex on recently introduced tree in Brazil.

Human Relevance

Documented as an agricultural pest in African mahogany plantations in Brazil, with potential economic impact through defoliation of commercial timber stands.

Similar Taxa

  • Glena bipennaria bipennariaBoth documented as defoliating caterpillars on African mahogany in Brazil; G. b. bipennaria was across all stands while A. pandara was restricted to K. senegalensis stands.

More Details

Taxonomic Note

Sources differ on placement: Wikipedia (via iNaturalist) lists , while Catalogue of Life and NCBI place Apatelodes in Apatelodidae (superfamily Bombycoidea). The GBIF entry notes Apatelodes as a synonym of Hygrochroa, though Catalogue of Life treats it as accepted.

Emerging Pest Status

The association with Khaya in Brazil represents a recent expansion, as African mahogany was introduced to Brazil much more recently than Eucalyptus. Additional native insects may adapt to these tree species in coming years.

Sources and further reading