I found adult moths, caterpillars, and pupa of the Lantana Stick Moth (Neogalea sunia) on a Lantana plant in Sacramento County, in California. Range information shows this as a first record of this species in California. Where can I go to find out if this is really the first recorded time this moth has been found in California, or at least in Sacramento County? If this is a first appearance for the state or county, how do I and should I report this pest? I have live caterpillar specimens, live cocoons, and a dead moth specimen.
Hi Jordan,
First, need to make sure this insect is real Lantana Stick Moth (Neogalea sunia).
At USDA-ARS (United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research and Service), there is a service called "Insect & Mite Identification Service" ( http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=9353 ). From there, staff might be able to further direct you to a resource for your question. I believe USDA should have these state-by-state insect record/databases, since they have a mission to trace the pests/insects for the benefit of a particular state's agriculture.
The overview of the "Insect & Mite Identification Service" is as following:
"The Systematic Entomology Laboratory (SEL) routinely provides specimen identification assistance as a free service to both governmental and private entities, including federal research and regulatory agencies, state departments of health and agriculture, university researchers, and private citizens. This service is coordinated by SEL's Communications & Taxonomic Services Unit (CTSU) and relies on the expertise of SEL scientists and collaborating specialists. CTSU maintains a relational database allowing for the efficient management of identification assignments. Upon completion, CTSU is responsible for reporting identifications to the submitter and returning specimens when requested."
Good luck on your search.
Normally one checks all available literature. Or much easier: search for an entomologist expertised on Lepidoptera (museums or universities are a good advice).
Hi Jordan,
First, need to make sure this insect is real Lantana Stick Moth (Neogalea sunia).
At USDA-ARS (United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research and Service), there is a service called "Insect & Mite Identification Service" ( http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=9353 ). From there, staff might be able to further direct you to a resource for your question. I believe USDA should have these state-by-state insect record/databases, since they have a mission to trace the pests/insects for the benefit of a particular state's agriculture.
The overview of the "Insect & Mite Identification Service" is as following:
"The Systematic Entomology Laboratory (SEL) routinely provides specimen identification assistance as a free service to both governmental and private entities, including federal research and regulatory agencies, state departments of health and agriculture, university researchers, and private citizens. This service is coordinated by SEL's Communications & Taxonomic Services Unit (CTSU) and relies on the expertise of SEL scientists and collaborating specialists. CTSU maintains a relational database allowing for the efficient management of identification assignments. Upon completion, CTSU is responsible for reporting identifications to the submitter and returning specimens when requested."
Good luck on your search.
For starters, you could check the BAMONA site: www.butterfliesandmoths.org/. They have local lists and if yours does not figure on the list of your area, you could write a note for the News of the Lepidopterists' Society. Your record would then be added to local lists of your area. However, it would be useful to confirm the identity of your specimens before proceeding with reporting it. Good luck and congratulations!
I do not know if your specimens are real Neogalea sunia, but in any case this species is known for California since 1934. It was reported (as Catabene esula, a synonymous) in:COMSTOCK, J. A. & DAMMERS, C. 1934. "Notes on the early stages of three butterflies and fives moths from California. Bulletin of Southern California Academy of Sciences, 33: 136-151.
el
Found the gentalii of male on http://www7.inra.fr/papillon/noctuid/noctuide.htm and check you moth. Threre are many papers about this species in Internet.
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