The Banana Moth, Opogona sacchari (Bojer)

The banana moth, Opogona sacchari (Bojer), also known as Opogona subcervinella (Walker), is known from a number of tropical areas around the world and periodically has been intercepted in Florida. In the last few years the species has become established in various nursery stocks in southern Florida, particularly in Dade and Palm Beach counties. The species is not usually a very important pest but has had localized outbreaks on bananas in the Canary Islands (Oldham, 1928), as well as on sugarcane in Mauritius and the Seychelle Islands (Durrant, 1925). The genus Opogona is primarily pantropical, encompassing over 225 species worldwide, and only a few are of any economic importance. Opogona and some related genera are now classified as Tineidae, in the subfamily Hieroxestinae. A few species occur in North America, with 3 species now known for Florida: the banana moth, O. sacchari; a native species, Opogona floridensis Davis; and another introduced species recently found in the Miami area, Opogona purpuriella Swezey.

Records from the Miami USDA Inspection Station (courtesy of E. B. Lee) indicate interceptions of O. sacchari as early as December 9, 1957, on banana stock from Cuba. Records kept by the Division of Plant Industry, FDACS, Gainesville, show Opogona identifications since May 28, 1963 (on Enterolobium sp.), with more frequent records for 1977-78 and 1985-86; these records are undoubtedly all O. sacchari (Fig. 9). Nursery stocks particularly affected recently in Florida include corn plant or cane (Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’) and bamboo palms (Chamaedorea spp.), as well as Hawaiian good luck plant (Cordyline terminalis) and aralias (Polyscias spp.). Recent outbreaks of Opogona sacchari have been confined to nursery stock in southern Florida and to retailers in various Florida cities; the only exceptions are a few records of homeowner yard or house plants in the Dade County area. The moth appears to be so prevalent in Dade County that adults probably are flying from one nursery to another and only cooperative control measures will depress the Opogona population. Thus far, O. sacchari has not been found on nearby sugarcane or banana plants in Dade County.