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

A species of narrow-winged moth Phycitodes subcretacella (Ragonot, 1901) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae), which is an invasive naturalized species, was found for the first time in the Primorsky krai on ragweed (Asteraceae: Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), which expands the range of food plants of the moth species and the list of phytophages of this weedy plant. New data on the biology of Ph. subcretacella and the first images of the genitalia of both sexes are given with indication of diagnostic characters that make it possible to distinguish the species from closely related taxa. It has been found that the caterpillars of Ph. subcretacella damage the apical parts of the stems, on which the generative organs of the plant are located, which can significantly reduce the reproductive potential of ragweed.

Automated summary

A study discovered an invasive naturalized species of narrow-winged moth, Phycitodes subcretacella, on ragweed for the first time. The research provides new data on the biology of Ph. subcretacella and includes images of the genitalia of both sexes, along with diagnostic characters to distinguish the species from related taxa.