South America
Tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum)
Eggs are oval-shaped, up to 1.8 mm long, and encased in two translucent, papery membranes. Larvae are pale green, up to 6 mm long, and have spines along their margins on which they accumulate molted skins and frass to serve as camouflage. Adults are up to 6 mm long and 5 mm wide and have a hard protective covering. Females are slightly larger than males. Reproductive adults are green while adults in diapause are light brown.
Adults emerge in early spring and feed on tropical soda apple foliage, creating a distinctive “shot-hole” feeding. Eggs are deposited singly (but up to 300 per female lifetime) onto tropical soda apple leaves. Larvae feed on the undersides of young leaves through five instars; their feeding also creates “shot-hole” patterns. Pupae are attached to the undersides of tropical soda apple leaves. The entire life cycle can be completed in a month, and in Florida, there are 7–8 generations per year. Last generation adults enter diapause in leaf litter during winter, which allows them to survive cold temperatures and food scarcity.
Larval and adult feeding reduces photosynthetic capabilities of attacked plants and facilitates secondary attack by plant pathogens. These stresses reduce the growth and reproduction of tropical soda apple plants, decreasing competitive ability.
Diaz, R. and R. Charudattan. 2022. Tropical Soda Apple Biocontrol Agents: History and Ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW-2022-24-TROPICAL SODA APPLE-A. https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/24234.pdf