Leucoptera spartifoliella
Encyclopedia
Leucoptera spartifoliella is a species of moth
in family Lyonetiidae
known by the common name Scotch broom twig miner. It is used as an agent of biological pest control
against the noxious weed known as Scotch broom
(Cytisus scoparius).
The adult is a tiny white moth about four millimeters long. It lays eggs one at a time on the stem of Scotch broom, its host plant. The larva
burrows throughout the epidermis
of the stem for nearly a year before it pupa
tes, causing damage to the plant.
The moth was introduced to California
for the purpose of controlling Scotch broom in 1960. It is now established in parts of the western United States. It was introduced to Australia in 1990. It may or may not be a worthwhile biocontrol agent; while the insect does do considerable damage to the plants, they can often recover. Much of the plant deaths occur when insect damage makes the plant susceptible to disease. Research is now focused on other agents of biocontrol for Scotch broom.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
in family Lyonetiidae
Lyonetiidae
Lyonetiidae is a family of moths. These are small, slender moths, the wingspan rarely exceeding 1 cm. The very narrow forewings, held folded backwards covering the hindwings and abdomen, often have pointed apices noticeably up- or down-turned. The larvae are leaf miners.The families Bucculatricidae...
known by the common name Scotch broom twig miner. It is used as an agent of biological pest control
Biological pest control
Biological control of pests in agriculture is a method of controlling pests that relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms...
against the noxious weed known as Scotch broom
Cytisus scoparius
Cytisus scoparius, the Common Broom and Scotch Broom, syn. Sarothamnus scoparius, is a perennial leguminous shrub native to western and central Europe,....
(Cytisus scoparius).
The adult is a tiny white moth about four millimeters long. It lays eggs one at a time on the stem of Scotch broom, its host plant. The larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
burrows throughout the epidermis
Epidermis (botany)
The epidermis is a single-layered group of cells that covers plants' leaves, flowers, roots and stems. It forms a boundary between the plant and the external environment. The epidermis serves several functions, it protects against water loss, regulates gas exchange, secretes metabolic compounds,...
of the stem for nearly a year before it pupa
Pupa
A pupa is the life stage of some insects undergoing transformation. The pupal stage is found only in holometabolous insects, those that undergo a complete metamorphosis, going through four life stages; embryo, larva, pupa and imago...
tes, causing damage to the plant.
The moth was introduced to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
for the purpose of controlling Scotch broom in 1960. It is now established in parts of the western United States. It was introduced to Australia in 1990. It may or may not be a worthwhile biocontrol agent; while the insect does do considerable damage to the plants, they can often recover. Much of the plant deaths occur when insect damage makes the plant susceptible to disease. Research is now focused on other agents of biocontrol for Scotch broom.