PHYCITODES SUBCRETACELLA (RAGONOT) (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE: PHYCITINAE) - A NEW PHYTOPHAGE OF THE QUARANTINE SPECIES AMBROSIA ARTEMISIIFOLIA L. IN THE SOUTH OF THE FAR EAST OF RUSSIA

Abstract

In Primorsky Krai, on the invasive naturalized species of ragweed (Asteraceae: Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), the species Phycitodes subcretacella (Ragonot, 1901) was found for the first time. The ragweed is recorded as a host plant for moth Ph. subcretacella for the first time, and this fact broadens the list of phytophages of this weed plant. New data on the biology of Ph. subcretacella are given and photographs of the genitalia of both sexes with indication of diagnostic characters are shown for the first time, which make it possible to distinguish the species from related taxa. It has been established that the larvae of Ph. subcretacella damage the apical parts of the stems on which the generative organs of the plant are located that can significantly reduce the reproductive potential of ragweed.