Uresiphita reversalis

(Guenée, 1854)

Genista Broom Moth, Sophora Worm

Uresiphita reversalis is a crambid to Mexico and the southwestern United States that has expanded its range north and east across North America. The feed diurnally in groups on leguminous plants, particularly members of the tribe Genisteae, and sequester quinolizidine alkaloids for chemical defense. The has gained notoriety as both a pest of ornamental plants and a potential agent for broom species. are small moths with distinctive bodies and bright or orange .

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Uresiphita reversalis: /ˌjʊrɪˈsɪfɪtə rɪˈvɜːrsəlɪs/

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

Identification

distinguished from similar crambid by combination of body/legs and bright or orange (usually hidden at rest). Formerly classified in , now placed in Crambidae; some sources still list outdated . identified by group-feeding on leguminous plants, webbing on branches, and aposematic coloration.

Images

Habitat

Secondary vegetation in arid and semiarid regions; open vegetation with evidence of disturbance such as intensive grazing. In Mexico, found in canyons and hills at elevations of 1885–2189 meters in association with Juniperus flaccida and Pinus cembroides. Urban and suburban environments where ornamental leguminous shrubs are planted.

Distribution

to Mexico and southwestern United States. Expanded range includes coastal California (established in Los Angeles by 1930, spreading through San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys by 1980s), Bay Area, Great Lakes region, mid-Atlantic states, Maine, and Nova Scotia. Southernmost record in Hidalgo, Mexico. Also recorded from Cuba, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica.

Seasonality

with 4–5 annually in southern climates; fewer in northern areas. In Berkeley, California, two major periods: March–May and July–October. Larval abundance peaks April–May in some . typically occurs in pupal stage, though sometimes present in winter; present throughout winter in some populations.

Diet

feed on leguminous plants (Fabaceae), particularly tribe Genisteae. Primary include Sophora secundiflora (Texas Mountain Laurel), Lupinus , Baptisia (false indigo), and Acacia. Expanded host range includes Genista species (French Broom, G. monspessulana; other broom plants), Cytisus species. do not feed.

Host Associations

Sophora secundiflora - primary Texas Mountain Laurel; common ornamental shrub
Calia secundiflora - mescal bean; tree in Mexico
Genista monspessulana - French broom; in California
Cytisus species - broom plants
Lupinus species - lupines
Baptisia species - false indigo
Acacia species - acacia
Teline monspessulana - studied for alkaloid

Life Cycle

with variable timing depending on season and latitude. to can occur in 5 weeks under optimal summer conditions in southern areas, or up to 25 weeks in winter in northern areas. Eggs laid in clusters averaging ~19 per clutch on upper or underside of leaves; hatch in 5–6 days. Five larval : 1st–3rd instar approximately 16.5 days (reaching 15 mm); 4th–5th instar approximately 11 days (reaching 35 mm); total larval stage approximately one month. in opaque amid dense webbing, away from ; pupal stage approximately 20 days. Adult approximately 20 days; adults survive about 10 days; begins 3.5 days after emergence. Total development from egg to adult: approximately 56 days under laboratory conditions.

Behavior

feed diurnally in groups, in contrast to the typical of most . They produce extensive webbing covering defoliated branches, leaves, and pods. Larvae leave to pupate, constructing silk away from main plant. are and easily startled from resting places.

Ecological Role

Defoliator of and ornamental leguminous plants. Sequesters quinolizidine alkaloids for chemical defense against . Potential agent for Genista monspessulana in California. Preyed upon by and other piercing-sucking predators that bypass external chemical defenses. Parasitized by ichneumon including Coccygomimus sanguinipes.

Human Relevance

Considered a pest of ornamental Sophora secundiflora (Texas Mountain Laurel) and other landscape legumes. Explored as agent for broom (Genista, Cytisus). Formerly classified in , leading to potential confusion in older literature and some online resources.

Similar Taxa

Uresiphita polygonalis maorialisCongeneric ; compared in biological studies
Other Crambidae/Pyralidae mothsFormer leads to confusion; U. reversalis distinguished by associations and coloration

Misconceptions

Formerly classified in ; still incorrectly placed there in some internet resources. Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) and honeysuckle (Lonicera) sometimes listed as , but these associations are probably incidental rather than true host relationships.