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the web of life in southern Africa

Mimorista pulchellalis

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Ecdysozoa > Panarthropoda > Tritocerebra > Phylum: Arthopoda > Mandibulata > Atelocerata > Panhexapoda > Hexapoda > Insecta (insects) > Dicondyla > Pterygota > Metapterygota > Neoptera > Eumetabola > Holometabola > Panorpida > Amphiesmenoptera > Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) > Glossata > Coelolepida > Myoglossata > Neolepidoptera > Heteroneura > Ditrysia > Apoditrysia > Obtectomera > Pyraloidea > Family: Crambidae > Subfamily: Spilomelinae > Genus: Mimorista

This moth was released in South Africa in 1979 for the biological control of Opuntia aurantiaca (Jointed cactus). Although it did initially become established (Nieman 1991), it is now regarded as not having become established (Klein 2011).

Publications

  • Klein H. 2011. A catalogue of the insects, mites and pathogens that have been used or rejected, or are under consideration, for the biological control of invasive alien plants in South Africa. African Entomology 19(2): 515-549.

  • Moran V.C.,  Zimmermann H.G. 1991. Biological control of jointed cactus, Opuntia aurantiaca (Cactaceae), in South Africa. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 37(1-3): 5-27. doi:10.1016/0167-8809(91)90136-L

  • Nieman E. 1991. The introduction of Mimorista pulchellalis [Lepidoptera: Pyraustidae] into South Africa for the biological control of jointed cactus, Opuntia aurantiaca. 2. Field evaluation. Entomophaga 36(1): 77-86.