Hellinsia beneficus
Encyclopedia
Hellinsia beneficus is a moth
of the Pterophoridae family. It is native to Mexico
, but was introduced to Hawaii
in 1959 and 1965 (unsuccessful) and 1973 (successful) for the biological control of Mistflower.
The larvae feed on Ageratina riparia.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
of the Pterophoridae family. It is native to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, but was introduced to Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
in 1959 and 1965 (unsuccessful) and 1973 (successful) for the biological control of Mistflower.
The larvae feed on Ageratina riparia.