Parthenium Biological Control Agents

          Epiblema strenuana (stem galling moth)


          Actual Size 10mm           		lay eggs on leaves


          Larvae pupate in the galls

          • from Mexico
          • life cycle 4 weeks in Summer
          • can produce up to 6 generations per year
          • larvae are straight and yellow or cream, with a brown head
          • up to 30 larvae per plant
          • overwinters as resting larvae in dead stalks
          • adults emerge in early sprint
          • also feeds on Noogoora burr
          		Larvae initially feed on leaves then bore into stems


          Actual size 10 mm
          • larvae produce galls in mature and young plants
          • they continue to feed in these galls
          • gall size varies depending on on the plant


          Last updated by: Kim Rogers, 9 December, 1997