Integrated Weed Control Project

Agonopterix alstromeriana*Agonopterix

* listed for information only. This insect is NOT an approved biocontrol agent and is NOT distributed by IWCP.

<<back to poison hemlock

Common Name

None widely accepted; poison hemlock moth

Weed Impacted

Larvae attack poison hemlock by rolling leaves and feeding on foliage, flowers, and buds.

Insect Description/Field Identification

Mature larvae are small, green caterpillars with three dark stripes running the length of the body.  The caterpillars are about 10 mm (approximately 3/8 inch) long and will wriggle vigorously when probed or otherwise stimulated.  Adults are small (17mm or 2/3 inch), brownish moths.

Life Cycle

Overwintering adults lay eggs on the plants in early spring.  Larvae emerge in early May, feed through July, pupate and emerge as adults in late summer.

AvailabilityAgonopterix larva

Agonopterix alstromeriana was accidentally introduced in the United States.  While field observations suggest that the moth feeds only on poison hemlock, it is not an USDA approved biocontrol agent and therefore NOT distributed by IWCP.

References

Berenbaum, M. 1983. Notes on the biology of Agonopterix alstroemeriana (Clerck), with descriptions of the immature stages (Oecophoridae). Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society 37(1): 38-45.

Photo Credit

Agonopterix alstromeriana adult - Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture, bugwood.org (insectimages.org), http://www.insectimages.org/images/768x512/0021088.jpg

Agonopterix alstromeriana larvae - Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture, bugwood.org (insectimages.org), http://www.insectimages.org/images/768x512/0021089.jpg

 

Secondary content using h2 tag. Column 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Heading using the h3tag

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

IWCP , WSU Extension, 2606 W Pioneer, Puyallup WA 98371, 253-445-4657, Contact Us