Alarodia
Möschler, 1886
Species Guides
1- Alarodia slossoniae(Packard's White Slug Moth)
Alarodia is a of slug caterpillar moths (Limacodidae) established by Möschler in 1886. The genus includes that are agricultural pests of Citrus in Jamaica, with larvae causing severe defoliation. are and weak fliers. The genus has been documented through both field observations and laboratory rearing studies.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Alarodia: /ˌa.ləˈroʊ.di.ə/
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Images
Habitat
Citrus orchards; all life stages occur on foliage.
Distribution
Jamaica (documented for A. nana); broader distribution of requires verification.
Seasonality
Year-round activity reported for A. nana in Jamaica; all stages present throughout the year in the field.
Diet
Foliage of Citrus (defoliator).
Host Associations
- Citrus - primary Major pest; severe defoliation reported. Search for secondary -plants was negative.
Life Cycle
(6–8 days at ~27°C) → larva (25–42 days) → pupa (14–19 days) → . Laboratory rearing achieved with adults mating on night of and females ovipositing the following night.
Behavior
are inactive by day and appear to be weak fliers. Larvae are 'slug caterpillars' that can cause -level defoliation. Pupae can survive malathion applications, leading to reinfestation.
Ecological Role
Major agricultural pest causing severe defoliation of Citrus in Jamaica.
Human Relevance
Significant pest of Citrus requiring chemical control; malathion effective against larvae but reinfestation from surviving pupae necessitates multiple applications.
More Details
Control history
Earlier attempts at laboratory breeding were unsuccessful. Field trials in 1963–4 demonstrated that two applications of low-volume malathion spray (57% emulsifiable concentrate, 1:80 dilution) with a 3.5-week interval achieved complete control by targeting larvae from pupae that survived the first application.