Brazil
Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia)
Eggs are golden, cylindrical, and ~0.4 mm long. There are two actively feeding “larval” instars and three non-feeding “pupal” instars. Both larval instars are yellow to orange with dark legs and antennae. They differ in that the second instar is slightly longer (~1 mm long) and has two horizontal lines on the last few segments of the body. All three pupal instars have reddish-orange bodies with transparent antennae and legs. Adults are winged, brown turning black with age, and small (2–3 mm long. Females are larger than males.
This species is continuously brooded, creating frequent overlap of generations. Females lay eggs singly or in small groups on leaflet stalks or blades or on the tender growth of new shoots. Mating is not necessary to produce offspring. Eggs from unmated females will produce only males, and eggs from mated females will produce females. Adults and feeding larvae pierce Brazilian peppertree tissue and suck out the contents of mesophyll cells. Adults also feed on Brazilian peppertree flowers. Pupation occurs primarily in the soil and leaf litter surrounding Brazilian peppertree plants. The length of time to complete a full generation varies depending on temperature, but up to four generations per year have been observed in the field in the native range.
Feeding on the leaves and stems of Brazilian peppertree often results in crinkled, deformed leaflets and death of flushing stem tips. This can reduce plant growth rate, height, and number of green stems produced. Adult feeding on flowers causes their abortion, potentially reducing Brazilian peppertree seed output.
Halbritter, D.A., M.B. Rayamajhi, G.S. Wheeler, C.R. Minteer, J.P. Cuda, S.M., Steininger, and V. Manrique. 2022. Brazilian Peppertree 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-2022-27-BRAZILIAN PEPPERTREE-A. https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/25230.pdf