Pest 411 Larger canna leafroller

by Shimat V. Joseph, Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia

Herbert A. 'Joe' Pase III, Texas A&M Forest Service, Bugwood.org,

Calpodes ethlius (Stoll), is a major pest of canna lily in Georgia. Native to Mexico, Central America, and the northern part of the South American continent, this pest is well established in the southern states, including Georgia.

This pest is also referred to as the Brazilian skipper, the canna butterfly, or the arrowroot butterfly.

Charles T. and John R. Bryson, Bugwood.org The LCLR adult Fig. 1. Larger canna leaf roller butterfly. is a medium-sized, brownish skipper butterfly (Fig. 1). The females (22-27 mm in length) are larger than the males (23 to 24 mm). The first pair of wings has five clear spots and yellow-colored hairs on the lower margin. The second pair of wings has three clear spots.

Similar to other skipper butterflies, LCLRs are erratic and fast fliers and consume nectar from the flowers.

The eggs are about 1 mm in diameter and are visible by the naked eye (Fig. 2). Pale green colored eggs are laid singly on the upper and lower leaf surface of canna. Sometimes, several eggs can be found on a single leaf. A day after laying, the eggs turn a pinkish color. A few days later, the eggs hatch.

They initially feed on the leaf margin creating a leaf flap (Fig. 3A). Then the larva ties the leaf flap with the rest of the leaf using silken strands. A few days later, the larva systematically rolls the leaf by tying from a smaller roll to rolling the entire leaf (Fig. 3B and C). The caterpillar feeds within the roll and pushes out the frass pellets (excrements) from the leaf rolls. The leaf roll provides shelter and protection from the sun and natural enemies.

The greenish, naked, or transparent larva has a distinctively large head capsule (Fig. 4). Initially, the head is black but turns into an orange color with black triangular marks in the later stages (fourth and fifth stage larva) of larval development (Fig. 4C). Because the caterpillar feeds on green leaves, the color of the caterpillar appears green. The larvae molt five times before transforming to pale green pupae within the leaf roll.

LCLR mostly attacks plant species within the Cannaceae family. The only other family where LCLR was found is West Indian arrowroot, Maranta arundinacea L.

The leaf rolling can cause severe damage to canna plants as most of the leaves are rolled. Any new shoots that emerge of the rhizome are severely attacked, and plants hardly produce any flowers if not managed. LCLR also feed on the emerging flowers (Fig. 3D). The entire plant appears completely beaten and battered (Fig. 5).

Scouting the leaves for young larvae as they begin to roll the leaves is critical (Fig. 3A). The larvae developing inside the roll can be mechanically killed by squishing with fingers. However, it can be overwhelming once the infestation becomes severe.

Previously, parasitic wasps, Brachymeria incerta attacking LCLR pupae and Xenufens ruskini, and Trichogramma minutum attacking LCLR eggs have been reported from Florida. However, it is not clear if those parasitic wasps are active in Georgia. Moreover, significant suppression of the LCLR population can be challenging through natural enemies when pest numbers are high.

Shimat Joseph, University of Georgia Fig. 2. Larger canna leaf roller egg on a leaf.

The use of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) insecticide can give some control if the caterpillars are mostly in earlier stages. Any contact insecticides such as pyrethroids (e.g., bifenthrin) can reduce the LCLR population, including larger caterpillars. Adequate insecticide coverage, meaning more water than usual (high water volume application), is necessary to control as caterpillars are hidden inside the rolls. A low

Shimat Joseph, University of Georgia Fig. 3. Larger canna leaf roll damage. (A) symptom caused by early larva by stitching the flag leaf , (B and C) feeding after rolling the leaf, and (D) feeding damage on the developing flowers.

A & B: Shimat Joseph, University of Georgia,

C: Herbert A. 'Joe' Pase III, Texas A&M Forest Service, Bugwood.org Fig. 4. Larger canna leaf roller caterpillar. Fig. 5. Extensive feeding damage after larger canna leaf roller attack.

water volume application may not reach those hidden caterpillars. The plants treated with insecticides will recover and start producing flowers. Repeated applications (two or three times) during summer may be necessary when the pest pressure is very high. Please carefully read the insecticide label before use, as the insecticide label is the law.

Shimat Joseph, University of Georgia

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