A cosmopolitan invader – Choreutis sexfasciella (Lepidoptera, Choreutidae) – in Cyprus: first record, molecular characterization, and a reared parasitoid

Demetriou, Jakovos ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5273-7109; Aristophanous, Marios ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2602-9560; Koutsoukos, Evangelos ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6412-2715; John, Eddie; Roy, Helen E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6050-679X; Martinou, Angeliki F. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2892-8583; Rota, Jadranka ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0220-3920. 2025 A cosmopolitan invader – Choreutis sexfasciella (Lepidoptera, Choreutidae) – in Cyprus: first record, molecular characterization, and a reared parasitoid. Nota Lepidopterologica, 48. 15-28. 10.3897/nl.48.137778

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.3897/nl.48.137778

Abstract/Summary

The Banyan Leaf Skeletonizer moth, Choreutis sexfasciella (Sauber, 1902) (Lepidoptera: Choreutidae), is reported from Cyprus for the first time from Ficus microcarpa L.fil. and F. benjamina L. trees in urban areas of Larnaca, Limassol, and Paphos. C. sexfasciella was originally described from the Philippines and has rapidly extended its range in the last five years into several Mediterranean countries as well as into North America. DNA barcode sequencing of several specimens from Cyprus has demonstrated that they are closely related to North American specimens. The parasitoid wasp Elasmus cf. cyprianus Ferrière, 1947 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) has been reared from leaves infested with larvae of C. sexfasciella . The observed socioeconomic impacts of the non-native moth and the potential use of its parasitoid as a biological control agent are discussed.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.3897/nl.48.137778
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity and Land Use (2025-)
ISSN:	0342-7536
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Zoology Data and Information
Date made live:	03 Mar 2025 14:07 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/538998

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.3897/nl.48.137778

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Biodiversity and Land Use (2025-)

ISSN:

0342-7536

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment
Zoology
Data and Information