Document Type : Agricultural Entomology

Authors

• Helen Alipanah ¹
• Samira Farahani ²
• Mohammad Ebrahim Farashiani ²

¹ Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection

² Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands

Abstract

Sophora mollis (Royle) Backer, Anagyris foetida L. and Spartium junceum L. (Fabaceae), serve dual roles as medicinal and ornamental shrubs. The first two species are deeply rooted in Iran's natural heritage, while the latter is a rare botanical find. Recent observations at the Kashan Botanical Garden have brought to light a significant ecological disturbance: the infestation of Uresiphita gilvata (Fabricius, 1794) larvae. Documented for the first time in October 1402 and subsequently in the spring of 1403. In S. mollis, the damage initially started from the twigs; while in Sp. junceum, the larvae predominantly fed on the flowers and also caused peeling of the twigs. Additionally, all four specimens of A. foetida in the garden suffered severe damage from the moth larvae. The fully grown larva of the moth displays a black ground color with a whitish to leaden dorsal stripe, a pair of yellow lateral stripes, and scattered white hairs across its body. The pupa is reddish-brown and elongated, encased within a silky cocoon. The adult moth has a wingspan of 26-36 mm and filiform antennae. The forewing's ground color is dark brown, with a slightly lighter medial area in some specimens, while in others, the contrast is less pronounced. Uresiphita gilvata is found across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia and has been collected from most Iranian provinces.

Keywords

• Damage
• Kashan Botanical Garden
• moth

Main Subjects

• Agricultural Entomology