Lepidoptera: Noctuidae

California Pest Rating for

Chrysodeixis eriosoma (Doubleday): Green Garden Looper

Pest Rating: A

PEST RATING PROFILE

Initiating Event:

Chrysodeixis eriosoma is frequently intercepted by CDFA. A pest rating proposal is required to support its pest rating.

History & Status:

Background: Chrysodeixis eriosoma is a polyphagous moth whose caterpillars feed on a wide variety of agricultural and ornamental plants¹. The moth has continuous overlapping generations throughout the year^1,2. Eggs are deposited singly on the underside of leaves and hatch in about 6 days¹. The young larvae consume one side of the leaf¹. As they grow larger they chew holes through the leaf and feed on the leaf margin, flowers, and fruits¹. Some of the known hosts include: Acanthaceae: acanthus (Acanthus mollis²), black-eyed susan (Thunbergia alata²); Amaranthaceae: redroot (Amaranthus hybridus²), beet (Beta vulgaris²); Araliaceae: paper plant (Fatsia japonica²); Asteraceae: Ageratum sp.², Aster sp.², rangiora (Brachyglottis repanda²), Chrysanthemum sp.², scotch thistle (Cirsium vulgare²), Dahlia sp.², sunflower (Helianthus annuus²), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus²), lettuce (Lactuca sativa²), cineraria (Senecio cineraria²), Senecio petasitis²; Bignoniaceae: 3 kings vine (Tecomanthe speciosa²); Boraginaceae: borage (Borago officinalis²), Echium vulgare², Chatham island lilies (Myosotidium hortensia²), forget-me-not (Myosotis spp.²); comfrey (Symphytum spp.²); Brassicaceae: horseradish (Armaracia rusticana²), cabbage and broccoli (Brassica oleracea²), Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis²), turnip (Brassica rapa²), radish (Raphanus sativus²); Buddlejaceae: buddleja (Buddeia davidii²); Caricaceae: pawpaw (Carica pubescens²); Caryophyllaceae: carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus²); Chenopodiaceae: fathen (Chenopodium album²); Convulvulaceae: morning glory (Ipomoea acuminata²), kumara (Ipomoea batatas²); Cucurbitaceae: watermelon (Citrullus lanatus²), cucumber (Cucumis sativus²); rockmelon (Cucumis melo²), pumpkin and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo²); Fabaceae: lucerne (Medicago sativa²), beans (Phaseolus spp.²), pea (Pisum sativum²); Geraniaceae: geranium (Pelargonium sp.); Lamiaceae: coleus (Coleus x hybridus²), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis²), mint (Mentha spp.²), basil (Ocimum basilicum²), majoram (Origanum majorana²), sage (Salvia spp.²), thyme (Thymus vulgaris²); Liliaceae: Renga lilies (Arthropodium cirrhatum²); Malvaceae: hibiscus (Abelmoschus esculentus²), hollyhock (Althea rosea²); Mimosaceae: Acacia spp.²; Passifloraceae: passion-fruit (Passiflora edulis²), banana passionfruit (Passiflora mollissima); Plantaginaceae: plantain (Plantago sp.²); Poaceae: corn (Zea mays²); Polygonaceae: willow weed (Polygonum persicaria²), rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum²); Scrophulariaceae: foxglove (Digitalis purpurea²), mullein (Verbascum thapsus²); Solanaceae: bell pepper (Capsicum annum²), tree tomato (Cyphomandra betacea²), Datura candida², tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum²), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum²), cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana²), poroporo (Solanum aviculare²), woolly nightshade (Solanum mauritianum²), eggplant (Solanum melongera²), black nightshade (Solanum nigrum²), potato (Solanum tuberosum²), blue potato vine (Solanum wendlandii²); Urticaceae: nettle (Urtica sp.²); Violaceae: Viola sp.². Eggs, caterpillars, or pupae of Chrysodeixis eriosoma may be transported long distances when infested plants or fresh plant parts are moved.

Worldwide Distribution: Chrysodeixis eriosoma is probably native to Australia or New Zealand. It has spread through much of Asia, Africa, Southern Europe, and the Pacific¹. It was first found in Hawaii in 1877 and now occurs on all islands¹.

Official Control: Chrysodeixis eriosoma is listed as a harmful organism by Costa Rica and Japan³. All species of Chrysodeixis are listed as harmful by Japan and the Republic of Korea³.

California Distribution: Chrysodeixis eriosoma has never been found in the environment of California.

California Interceptions: Chrysodeixis eriosoma has been intercepted 507 times by CDFA’s high risk programs and dog teams. Interceptions have occurred on plants and fresh plant parts from Hawaii and Florida.

The risk Chrysodeixis eriosoma (green garden looper) would pose to California is evaluated below.

Consequences of Introduction:

1) Climate/Host Interaction: Host plants of Chrysodeixis eriosoma are widely grown in California and the moth may be expected to establish wherever suitable hosts are available. Green garden looper is expected to establish a widespread distribution in the state and receives a High (3) in this category.

Evaluate if the pest would have suitable hosts and climate to establish in California. Score: 3

– Low (1) Not likely to establish in California; or likely to establish in very limited areas.

– Medium (2) may be able to establish in a larger but limited part of California.

– High (3) likely to establish a widespread distribution in California.

2) Known Pest Host Range: Chrysodeixis eriosoma is polyphagous on a wide variety of plants in at least 27 families. It receives a High (3) in this category.

Evaluate the host range of the pest. Score: 3

– Low (1) has a very limited host range.

– Medium (2) has a moderate host range.

– High (3) has a wide host range.

3) Pest Dispersal Potential: Each female Chrysodeixis eriosoma can lay over 2000 eggs² and can complete a generation in as little as 33-35 days¹. They are strong flyers and may be transported long distances on plants or fresh plant parts. Green garden looper receives a High (3) in this category.

Evaluate the natural and artificial dispersal potential of the pest. Score: 3

– Low (1) does not have high reproductive or dispersal potential.

– Medium (2) has either high reproductive or dispersal potential.

– High (3) has both high reproduction and dispersal potential.

4) Economic Impact: Although Chrysodeixis eriosoma may cause significant defoliation, it has never been documented to lower crop yields. It may lower the value of nursery stock by disfiguring plants while feeding. Several of California’s trading partners list green garden looper as a harmful organism. Also, the moth has a limited distribution in North and South America. If the moth were to establish in California there could be disruptions of markets for Californian agricultural commodities. Chrysodeixis eriosoma receives a Medium (2) in this category.

Evaluate the economic impact of the pest to California using the criteria below.

Economic Impact: B, C

A. The pest could lower crop yield.

B. The pest could lower crop value (includes increasing crop production costs).

C. The pest could trigger the loss of markets (includes quarantines).

D. The pest could negatively change normal cultural practices.

E. The pest can vector, or is vectored, by another pestiferous organism.

F. The organism is injurious or poisonous to agriculturally important animals.

G. The organism can interfere with the delivery or supply of water for agricultural uses.

Economic Impact Score: 2

– Low (1) causes 0 or 1 of these impacts.

– Medium (2) causes 2 of these impacts.

– High (3) causes 3 or more of these impacts.

5) Environmental Impact: Chrysodeixis eriosoma is not likely to lower biodiversity, disrupt natural communities, or change ecosystem processes. It may feed on threatened or endangered plants including Ashland thistle (Cirsium ciliolatum), fountain thistle (Cirsium fontinale fontinale), chorro creek bog thistle (Cirsium fontinale var. obispoense), suisun thistle (Cirsium hydrophilum var. hydrophilum), La Graciosa thistle (Cirsium loncholepis), surf thistle (Cirsium rhothophilum), and scott’s valley polygonum (Polygonum hickmanii). The moth is not expected to disrupt critical habitats. Green garden looper may trigger treatment programs in the nursery industry and by residents who find infested plants unsightly. Chrysodeixis eriosoma is not expected to impact cultural practices, home/urban gardening, or ornamental plantings. It receives a High (3) in this category.

Evaluate the environmental impact of the pest on California using the criteria below.

Environmental Impact: B, D

A. The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.

B. The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.

C. The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.

D. The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.

E. The pest significantly impacts cultural practices, home/urban gardening or ornamental plantings.

Score the pest for Environmental Impact.

Environmental Impact Score: 3

– Low (1) causes none of the above to occur.

– Medium (2) causes one of the above to occur.

– High (3) causes two or more of the above to occur.

**Consequences of Introduction to California for Chrysodeixis eriosoma (Green Garden Looper): High (14)**

Add up the total score and include it here.

–Low = 5-8 points

–Medium = 9-12 points

–High = 13-15 points

6) Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information: Chrysodeixis eriosoma has never been found in California and receives a Not established (0) in this category.

Evaluate the known distribution in California. Only official records identified by a taxonomic expert and supported by voucher specimens deposited in natural history collections should be considered. Pest incursions that have been eradicated, are under eradication, or have been delimited with no further detections should not be included.

–Not established (0) Pest never detected in California, or known only from incursions.

–Low (-1) Pest has a localized distribution in California, or is established in one suitable climate/host area (region).

–Medium (-2) Pest is widespread in California but not fully established in the endangered area, or pest established in two contiguous suitable climate/host areas.

–High (-3) Pest has fully established in the endangered area, or pest is reported in more than two contiguous or non-contiguous suitable climate/host areas.

Final Score:

The final score is the consequences of introduction score minus the post entry distribution and survey information score: High (14)

Uncertainty:

Chrysodeixis eriosoma is frequently intercepted by CDFA. It presumably enters the state undetected at other times. There have been no recent surveys for this moth. It could be established in some localities.

Conclusion and Rating Justification:

Chrysodeixis eriosoma has never been found in California and is expected to have significant economic and environmental impacts if it were to establish. An “A” rating is justified.

References:

¹ University of Hawaii Crop Knowledge Master. Chryssodeixis eriosoma (Doubleday). Green Garden Looper. http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/crop/type/chrysode.htm

² Roberts, L.I.N. 1979. Biology of Chrysodeixis eriosoma (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in New Zealand. New Zealand Entomologist 7(1):52-58. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/resources/research-curation/projects/chalcidoids/pdf_Y/Robert979.pdf

³ USDA Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance & Tracking System (PCIT) Phytosanitary Export Database (PExD). https://pcit.aphis.usda.gov/pcit/

Responsible Party:

Jason Leathers, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, (916) 654-1211, plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov.

Comment Format:

♦ Comments should refer to the appropriate California Pest Rating Proposal Form subsection(s) being commented on, as shown below.

Example Comment:
Consequences of Introduction: 1. Climate/Host Interaction: [Your comment that relates to “Climate/Host Interaction” here.]

♦ Posted comments will not be able to be viewed immediately.

♦ Comments may not be posted if they:

Contain inappropriate language which is not germane to the pest rating proposal;

Contains defamatory, false, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, pornographic, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, discriminatory or illegal material;

Violates agency regulations prohibiting sexual harassment or other forms of discrimination;

Violates agency regulations prohibiting workplace violence, including threats.

♦ Comments may be edited prior to posting to ensure they are entirely germane.

♦ Posted comments shall be those which have been approved in content and posted to the website to be viewed, not just submitted.