Homadaula

Lower, 1907

Species Guides

Homadaula anisocentra(mimosa webworm)

Homadaula is a of small in the Galacticidae, established by Lower in 1907. The genus contains approximately 15 described distributed across Africa, Asia, and Australia. Several species are known as webworms, with larvae that construct silk webs on foliage. Homadaula anisocentra, the mimosa webworm, is the most economically significant species and has been introduced to North America as a pest of ornamental honeylocust and mimosa trees.

- 2353 – Homadaula anisocentra – Mimosa Webworm Moth (14867396276) by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

- 2353 – Homadaula anisocentra – Mimosa Webworm Moth (14307361945) by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

- 2353 – Homadaula anisocentra – Mimosa Webworm Moth (14867395446) by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Homadaula: //ˌhoʊməˈdaʊlə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Habitat

Associated with woody plants; larvae construct silk webs on foliage. Specific preferences vary by . Homadaula anisocentra occurs in urban landscapes and forests where host trees (Albizia julibrissin, Gleditsia triacanthos) are present.

Distribution

occur in Africa (including southwestern Africa and Kenya), Asia (China, India), and Australia. Homadaula anisocentra has been introduced to North America.

Diet

Larvae feed on foliage of woody plants. Homadaula anisocentra feeds primarily on Albizia julibrissin (silktree/mimosa) and Gleditsia triacanthos (honeylocust), skeletonizing leaves within protective webs. Homadaula albizziae has been recorded feeding on Albizia julibrissin.

Host Associations

Albizia julibrissin - primary silktree or mimosa; fed upon by multiple Homadaula
Gleditsia triacanthos - honeylocust; primary for introduced H. anisocentra in North America

Life Cycle

Complete with , larva, pupa, and stages. Homadaula anisocentra has multiple per year (two in Maryland, three in southern states). Overwinters as pupae in leaf litter, soil, or protected urban sites.

Behavior

Larvae are gregarious and construct silk webs on foliage for protection while feeding. Pupae of H. anisocentra exhibit cold hardiness with supercooling capacity; some individuals overwinter in thermally protected microhabitats that reduce exposure to lethal temperatures.

Ecological Role

Herbivore; defoliator of trees. In introduced range, H. anisocentra functions as urban forest pest. Subject to by including Elasmus albizziae and Parania geniculata.

Human Relevance

Homadaula anisocentra is an introduced pest in North America, causing defoliation of ornamental honeylocust and mimosa trees. Some honeylocust cultivars (Moraine, Shademaster, Imperial) show partial resistance. Managed through physical removal of webs, agents (Bacillus thuringiensis), or reduced-risk .

Similar Taxa

Hyphantria cuneaBoth are webworm with larvae that construct silk nests on foliage; distinguished by preferences, nest placement, and . Fall webworm nests occur at branch terminals and appear earlier in season; mimosa webworm nests are smaller and more dispersed.
Malacosoma americanumEastern tent caterpillar also constructs silk tents, but builds nests in tree crotches near trunks in early spring (March-April) rather than late spring/summer, and specializes on Rosaceae .

More Details

Taxonomic placement

assignment has varied; sources list both Galacticidae and Plutellidae. Current consensus places Homadaula in Galacticidae. The was originally described from Australia.

Notable species

H. anisocentra (mimosa webworm) was introduced from China to North America in the 1940s. H. albizziae is another Asian associated with Albizia. African species include H. maritima, H. montana, H. submontana, and H. watamomaritima from Kenya, described by Mey in 2007.