Crocidosema

Zeller, 1847

Species Guides

6

Crocidosema is a of tortrix moths in the Tortricidae, tribe Eucosmini, Olethreutinae. The genus contains approximately 29 described , distributed primarily in the Southern Hemisphere with particular abundance in the Neotropics. Some species occur in other regions, including the Hawaiian Islands. The genus includes both agricultural pests and species used in .

Crocidosema by (c) Donald Hobern, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Crocidosema lantana by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Crocidosema litchivora by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Crocidosema: //ˌkɹɒsɪˈdoʊsiːmə//

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Identification

Members of this can be recognized by distinctive wing venation patterns: in the hindwings, 3 and 4 originate from a common stalk and are approached by the fifth vein at its end; in the forewings, veins 4-6 converge at the termen. are generally small and inconspicuous.

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Habitat

Found in diverse across the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in Neotropical regions. Some inhabit agricultural as crop pests.

Distribution

Primarily Southern Hemisphere, especially common in the Neotropics. Some occur on the Hawaiian Islands and other locations outside the core Neotropical range.

Host Associations

  • Malvaceae - primary for some C. plebejana and related utilize various Malvaceae
  • Fabaceae - C. aporema feeds on wild and cultivated Fabaceae including soybean (Glycine max) and Lotus corniculatus
  • Sesuvium - for C. leprarumcoastal specializing on this Aizoaceae
  • Lantana - for C. lantanadeliberately introduced for of this Verbenaceae
  • Cryptocarya mannii - recorded native Lauraceae for C. lantana in Hawaii
  • Gossypium hirsutum - cotton, for C. plebejana
  • Malva parviflora - weed for C. plebejana

Human Relevance

Several have significant economic importance. Crocidosema plebejana (cotton tipworm) is an occasional pest of cotton and other malvaceous plants, with persisting on weedy like Malva parviflora. It has become widely distributed through trade in agricultural produce. (bean shoot /bud borer) is a pest of soybean and other legumes in South America, with recent reports of resistance to Bt toxin Cry1Ac in Brazilian populations. Crocidosema (lantana flower-cluster moth) has been deliberately introduced to some locations for of Lantana.

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