Margaroniini

Cosmopolitan distribution with species found across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions worldwide.

Larvae of many species feed on agricultural crops. Documented hosts include: legumes (Maruca vitrata), olives (Palpita vitrealis), cucurbits (Diaphania indica), peach and other fruits (Conogethes punctiferalis), coconut (Omiodes blackburni), and box tree (Cydalima perspectalis).

• legumes - larval food plantMaruca vitrata (legume pod borer)
• Olea europaea - larval food plantPalpita vitrealis (jasmine moth)
• Cucurbitaceae - larval food plantDiaphania indica (cucumber moth)
• Prunus persica and other fruits - larval food plantConogethes punctiferalis (yellow peach moth)
• Cocos nucifera - larval food plantOmiodes blackburni (coconut leafroller)
• Buxus - larval food plantCydalima perspectalis (box tree moth)

Larvae function as herbivores, with many species acting as primary consumers on agricultural and ornamental plants. Some species are significant defoliators or fruit borers.

Contains multiple major agricultural pests causing economic damage to crops. The legume pod borer, cucumber moth, yellow peach moth, and box tree moth are subjects of pest management programs. The box tree moth has become an invasive pest in Europe, threatening ornamental boxwood plantings.

• other Spilomelinae tribesMargaroniini is distinguished by being the most species-rich tribe in the subfamily; precise morphological distinctions require examination of genitalia and wing venation patterns by specialists

• agricultural pest
• Crambidae
• Spilomelinae
• tribe
• Lepidoptera
• economically important

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• iNaturalist taxon