Defoliators
> Mimosa Webworm
Pest: Mimosa Webworm (Homadaula anisocentra Meyric)
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Plutellidae
Host Plants:
In the southern states, this is a serious pest of Albizia (Mimosa
or Silk Tree) but in the northeastern United States it primarily
feeds on many varieties of honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos
) and is considered to be a serious pest.
Description:
Injury consists of tying foliage together with silk and then
skeletonizing the foliage giving it a bronzed appearance. Injury
can range from mildly aesthetic to defoliation. In late summer,
larvae seeking protective over-wintering sites may temporarily become
a nuisance by climbing on houses or other structures.
Life Cycle:
Small adult moths appear in mid-to-late June in southern New
England and lay their eggs on the surface of the foliage. Larvae
hatch soon thereafter and begin tying foliage together with silk.
Feeding continues throughout July, pupation occurs, and new moths
appear in August. The pupae of this second generation over-winters
on the host plant.
GDD: 1000-1600
Management Strategies:
Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) is effective if used on
the earlier instars. Coverage with contact pesticides is difficult
to obtain given the cryptic nature of how this pest hides itself
on the host plant. Chemical pesticides are also labeled for this
pest.
Images:
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Albizia (a.k.a. silk tree), the original host for the mimosa
webworm. (R.Childs)
Many injured leaves from feeding by the mimosa webworm (R.
Childs)
Leaflets of honeylocust that have been tied together and skeletonized
by the mimosa webworm. Note that the yellow-stippling on the
foliage was caused by another pest of honeylocust, the honeylocust
plantbug. (R Childs)
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Defoliators
index:
Asiatic Garden Beetle 
Bagworm
Cankerworms
Eastern Tent Caterpillar
Fall Webworm
Forest Tent Caterpillar
Gypsy Moth
Japanese Beetle
Larch Casebearer
Lily
Leaf Beetle
Mimosa Webworm
Viburnum Leaf Beetle
Winter
Moth - ID & Management
UPDATED! Winter
Moth Overview
Winter
Moth Project - Biological Control in MA
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