Some Pics to ID

[Mikie]

Thanks a bunch

The first two photos of the larvae, is it simply a mutation on the Giant
Leopard Moth?

I have to say that I had a lot of fun this summer taking pics of various
insects in the garden.  I planted Dill and boy did I ever get a turn out for
that!  I have started to encourage wild flowers - in particular Purple Mist
flower because I read that it is a favorite for the late-season butterflies.

I did a "google" search on the Arctid moth, interesting to say the least.

I would like to thank all who responded for "supporting" an amateur, and
hope that you don't mind my period inquiries in the future.

-Mikie

About that Arctid Moth here's is a snip of one article I found at:

http://www.coraf.org/action/ca12en.html

Biological Control: Two Researchers Receive Award in Ghana

J.A. Timbilla and H. Braimah of the Crop Research Institute (CRI) of Council
for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of Ghana, won the Best
Agricultural Researcher Award for 1998 for having achieved major advances in
the biological control of Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata), and its harmful
effects on biodiversity. The national jury judged their papers to have been
the best contribution to national agricultural development, developing a
cost-effective biological control method posing little or no environmental
hazard. 

The work used the arctid moth (Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata) to reduce Siam
weed populations. C. odorata releases noxious substances that suppress plant
growth and effectively gradually reduced the natural plant and animal
species that formed the natural ecosystems. The Siam weed has been in Ghana
for 26 years and covered about 65% of the total land area where it
constitutes approximately 23% of the flora. The situation is set to worsen
as Ghana continues to experience the fast ratio of deforestation.

Field studies and trials carried out by the two researchers demonstrated the
potential of this moth as a bio-control agent against the weed. They then
mass reared the arctic moth and released it on-station and on surrounding
fields. However, the use of other bio-agents in addition to the arctic moth
to speed up the control of the Siam weed is recommended.



 
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