Biological control of cat's claw creeper (Macfadyena unguis-cati): the potential of the leaf-tying pyralid moth (Hypocosmia pyrochroma).

Cat’s claw creeper, Macfadyena unguiscati (L.) Gentry (Bignoniaceae), a climbing woody vine native to tropical America, is an invasive weed in Queensland and New South Wales. Classical biological control is regarded as the most desirable option to manage this weed. Simulated herbivory studies have suggested that specialist leaf-feeding herbivores have the most potential as biocontrol agents. A specialist leaf-tying pyralid moth (Hypocosmia pyrochroma Jones) from Brazil and Argentina is currently being tested in quarantine for possible use as a biological control agent. The larvae of this moth can severely damage foliage resulting in reduced plant growth and subterranean tuber production. Host-specificity test results to date are encouraging, confirming the earlier South African results. An application to release this agent is being lodged in Australia.