Pest-of-ornamentals

Guides

• Uresiphita reversalis

  Genista Broom Moth, Sophora Worm

  Uresiphita reversalis is a multivoltine crambid moth native to Mexico and the southwestern United States that has expanded its range north and east across North America. The caterpillars feed diurnally in groups on leguminous host plants, particularly members of the tribe Genisteae, and sequester quinolizidine alkaloids for chemical defense. The species has gained notoriety as both a pest of ornamental plants and a potential biocontrol agent for invasive broom species. Adults are small moths with distinctive white bodies and bright yellow or orange hindwings.

  multivoltineaposematicalkaloid-sequestrationdiurnal-larvaegroup-feedinglegume-feederbiocontrol-potentialrange-expansionpest-of-ornamentalschemical-defensequinolizidine-alkaloidscarrier-mediated-uptake