Antigastra

Antigastra species are small to medium-sized crambid moths. Antigastra catalaunalis can be recognized by its association with sesame plants; adults have a wingspan of approximately 15–20 mm with characteristic crambid wing venation and resting posture. Larvae are greenish with dark head capsules, reaching 9–10 mm at maturity, and produce silk webbing on host plants. Distinguishing Antigastra from related genera requires examination of genitalia and wing pattern details; the genus is most reliably identified through host association and geographic context in agricultural settings.

Agricultural and cultivated environments where sesame (Sesamum indicum) is grown. In West Africa, occurs in both North and South Sudanian zones. Natural habitat associations beyond cultivated sesame are poorly documented.

Widespread across tropical and subtropical regions including: Africa (Algeria, Botswana, Canary Islands, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, Socotra Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Upper Volta, Zaire, Zimbabwe); Asia (Andaman Islands, Burma, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Yemen, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Turkey, Vietnam); Europe (Britain, Corsica, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Sicily, Spain, Yugoslavia); Australasia and Pacific Islands (Australia, Fiji); North America (Mexico); Central America (Guatemala); South America (Venezuela). GBIF records indicate presence in Denmark and Sweden.

In Burkina Faso, present throughout the entire growing season on sesame. Laboratory studies indicate a complete life cycle of approximately 26.5 days under controlled conditions.

Larvae feed on sesame (Sesamum indicum), consuming leaves, flowers, and developing seed capsules.

• Sesamum indicum - primary hostlarval food plant; causes damage to leaves, flowers, and capsules
• Bracon (Habrobracon) platynotae - parasitoidBraconidae wasp; first recorded association in Mexico
• Eiphosoma dentator - parasitoidIchneumonidae wasp; first recorded association in Mexico
• Perilampus platigaster species group - parasitoidPerilampidae wasp; first recorded association in Mexico
• Brachymeria annulata - parasitoidChalcididae wasp; first recorded association in Mexico
• Conura side - parasitoidChalcididae wasp; first recorded association in Mexico
• Conura maculata - parasitoidChalcididae wasp; first recorded association in Mexico
• Goniozus punctaticeps - parasitoidBethylidae wasp; first recorded association in Mexico

Complete metamorphosis with five larval instars. Egg incubation period: 2.38 days. Larval period: 10.5 days, with length increasing from 1.91 mm to 9.53 mm across instars. Pupal period: 6 days. Adult longevity: 6–7 days. Sex ratio approximately 1:1; males smaller than females. Total life cycle: 26.5 days under laboratory conditions on sesame variety G. TIL-3.

Larvae produce silk webbing on host plants, leading to the common name "sesame leaf webber." Larvae tie leaves together and bore into flowers and developing seed capsules. Has been observed causing up to 100% of plants with tied leaves and up to 32.83% of capsules perforated in field conditions.

Agricultural pest of sesame causing yield losses of 19–63% in susceptible varieties. Serves as host for diverse parasitoid wasp communities including Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, Perilampidae, Chalcididae, and Bethylidae.

Major economic pest of sesame cultivation globally. Control measures include insecticide application (including Biobit and chemical combinations) and development of resistant varieties. Early-maturing and glabrous (hairless) sesame varieties show reduced susceptibility, informing breeding programs in West Africa.

• Lepidoneura longipalpisAntigastra longipalpis has been transferred to this genus; historical confusion in literature
• Other Spilomelinae generaMorphological similarity in external features; accurate identification requires genitalia examination and host association data

• agricultural pest
• sesame
• Crambidae
• Spilomelinae
• leaf webber
• capsule borer

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Antigastra catalaunalis . [Distribution map].
• Effect of biobit on reproduction of Antigastra catalaunalis
• Parasitoid wasps associated with Antigastra catalaunalis (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) in Northern Sinaloa, Mexico
• Host Plant Resistance to Sesamum Leaf Webber and Capsule Borer Antigastra catalaunalis (Duponchel)
• Biology of Sesame Leaf Webber <i>Antigastra catalaunalis</i> Duponchel
• Host plant resistance against sesame leaf webber and capsule borer, Antigastra catalaunalis Duponchel (Pyraustidae: Lepidoptera)
• La pyrale du sésame, Antigastra catalaunalis (Duponchel, 1833), au Burkina Faso : Distribution géographique et incidence sur six variétés de sésame.