Bactra spp.

Status

NATIVE

PORT INTERCEPT | DOMESTIC SURVEY

Taxonomy

Bactra Stephens (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Olethreutini)

Overview

Bactra is a large, distinctive genus of approximately 110 currently recognized species distributed globally. Several species have extremely broad distributions, either naturally or as a result of repeated introductions by humans. Some of these are distributed so broadly and seemingly randomly that their natural ranges are unknown.

Adults are generally tan yellow to pale brown in color, possess relatively narrow forewings with an acute apex, and are highly variable in size, likely a result of their stem-boring larval biology. Additional variation exists in the forewing pattern of many species, making species identification without examination of the genitalia difficult. Thankfully, the genitalia of both sexes are usually distinctive enough to provide species-level identifications. Male genitalia are characterized by a valva distinctly divided into two broad, often nearly circular lobes with robust spines; a short, broad, and well-developed uncus; and well-developed socii. Female genitalia are characterized by an elaborate and well-sclerotized sterigma, ostium, and basal portion of the ductus bursae; and a small, patch- or pocket-like signum. 

Larvae of all known species are stem-borers on grasses (Poaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and rushes (Juncaceae). One species, B. bactrana, has recently expanded its host range to include sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) and has been reported to be a significant pest of it on Crete (Roditakis et al. 2016Roditakis et al. 2016:
Roditakis, E., Morin, S., Baixeras, J. 2016. Is Bactra bactrana (Kennel, 1901) a novel pest of sweet peppers? Bulletin of Entomological Research. 106(2): 161-167.). Another species, B. verutana, has been widely used as a biocontrol agent of various species of sedges (Cyperus spp.).

We include Bactra on this site because of the high number of species worldwide and the likelihood of encountering species in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings.

Plant Associations

View full screen host table here

Links

Additional photos and distribution maps for species in North America are available at Moth Photographers Group.