Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society (2022) 54, 63-76

Michelle G. Au and Mark G. Wright (2022)
Ramie moth, Arcte coerula (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): A new invasive pest in Hawaii on endemic plants
Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 54, 63-76
Abstract: In November 2018, the ramie moth, Arcte coerula (Guenée, 1852) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was found defoliating mämaki trees, Pipturus albidus (Hook. and Arnott.) A. Gray (Urticaceae) on Maui. This was the first detection of the ramie moth in Hawaii and the United States. As of November 2020, this new pest has spread to Hawaii island. Mämaki has cultural importance to the islands as a medicinal plant in lä'au lapa'au, a traditional native Hawaiian healing methodology utilizing plants, ecological importance as an essential food source for endemic insects including the state insect, and economic importance as an emerging tea crop. Field and laboratory observations suggest that high populations of A. coerula could potentially devastate these trees. Here we review the literature regarding this insect and assess the threat A. coerula poses to Hawaii. The biology and life cycle of A. coerula feeding on mämaki in Hawaii is described.
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Database assignments for author(s): Mark G. Wright

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
new introduction of pest

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Arcte coerula	Pipturus (genus)	U.S.A. (Hawaii)