Hawaii-introduction

Guides

• Ephestiodes gilvescentella

  Dusky Raisin Moth

  A small pyralid moth native to western North America, commonly encountered at blacklighting stations. The species has been introduced to Hawaii through commercial activity. Its larvae feed on dried fruits and nuts, earning the common name 'dusky raisin moth.' The species is considered the most common moth in Davis, California, based on long-term blacklighting records.

  pyralidstored-product-pestblacklight-attractionwestern-North-AmericaHawaii-introduction

• Rhinacloa forticornis

  western plant bug

  Rhinacloa forticornis is a phyline mirid with a broad geographic distribution spanning the Americas, Caribbean, and Pacific. Laboratory studies demonstrate facultative predatory behavior on soft-bodied arthropods, particularly thrips larvae, using fore tarsi to manipulate prey and exhibiting extra-oral digestion. However, the species shows preferential feeding on plant tissue, indicating that phytophagy remains the predominant feeding mode. It has been introduced to Hawaii (1962) and is considered a pest of cotton and other crops in some regions.

  facultative-predatorextra-oral-digestioncotton-pestHawaii-introductionthrips-predatoromnivoryMiridaePhylinae