Occurrence of Languria mozardi in six Trifolium species - Texas A&M University (TAMU) Scholar

In the spring of 1994, plots of arrowleaf clover in East Texas suffering stem damage were found infested with the clover stem borer (Languria mozardi Latreille). A field was planted the following fall to determine phenology of oviposition and adult emergence of the clover stem borer and to characterize host plant preference of the insect among six Trifolium species: rose, crimson, beseem, ball, arrowleaf, and red clovers. Plants were collected regularly, stems sectioned and examined for insect damage. Degree of infestation, insect developmental stage, and plant growth parameters were recorded at each sampling. First observed on 27 March, oviposition frequency peaked from 19 April to 1 May in all six species of clover. A second egg-laying period in mid-June was observed in red clover, a perennial species. Evidence of successful larval development and pupation was observed in ball, red, crimson, and berseem clovers, and to a lesser extent, in arrowleaf clover. Few larvae and no pupae or adults were found in rose clover stems. Red and berseem clovers supported up to 38 individuals (eggs, larvae, and/or pupae) per plant. There was evidence that pathogenic organisms may have caused root rot and premature death of some plants.

Occurrence of Languria mozardi in six Trifolium species Academic Article