Morning glory plume moth

The Morning glory plume moth (Oidaematophorus monodactylus) belongs to the Pterophoridae family within the order Lepidoptera. This moth is distinguished by its unique wing structure, where the wings are split into narrow, feather-like lobes, giving it a very slender appearance when at rest.

The primary host plants for this pest belong to the Convolvulaceae family, most notably the field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). While they are often considered a natural control agent for invasive bindweed, they can become pests when they migrate to cultivated crops, ornamental gardens, or greenhouse environments where similar plant species are grown.

The biology of the species involves overwintering as an adult in sheltered locations such as leaf litter or dense vegetation. As temperatures rise in spring, the moths emerge to mate and lay eggs on the leaves of host plants. Multiple generations can occur within a single year, with larvae actively feeding throughout the warmer summer months.

Damage is characterized by larvae chewing irregular holes in the leaves and occasionally webbing the tips of stems together. While localized damage is often minor, high populations can significantly defoliate plants, reducing their photosynthetic capability and overall vigor, which may lead to reduced yields in certain commercial nursery crops.

Effective management strategies focus on habitat modification and sanitation. The most critical step is managing the populations of field bindweed within and surrounding the production area. Where infestations exceed thresholds, horticultural oils or registered insecticides applied during the larval stage provide effective control to protect the commercial product.

• Rigorous weed management of Convolvulaceae hosts.
• Sanitation of crop debris to eliminate overwintering sites.
• Physical removal of infested leaves in small-scale plantings.
• Application of bio-rational insecticides when larvae are small.