Kamalia priapus (Schitlmeister, 1997)

Danh, Duong Ngoc, Yakovlev, Roman V., Tra, Tran Thi Le, Phuong, Tran Thi, Binh, Vu Duc, Nga, Nguyen Thi Thanh, Hung, Pham Tien, Hoa, Nguyen, Nhung, Nong Phuong, Truong, Pham Xuan & Chi, Nguyen Minh, 2024, Bark-feeding Kamalia priapus (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) damaging Homalium ceylanicum trees in Vietnam, Ecologica Montenegrina 71, pp. 120-129 : 124

Symptoms of Kamalia priapus damage on Homalium ceylanicum trees

Kamalia priapus was associated with tree damage, characterized by large lesions on the trunks of the infested H. ceylanicum trees. These trees have nests or cocoons, with the cocoons measuring 20–30 mm in width and 45–62 mm in length. Those cocoons are typically found at heights ranging from 5 to 300 cm above the ground. Many nests or cocoons were found on the trunks of the damaged trees (as seen in Fig. 3 ). The nests/cocoons are distributed sporadically or concentrated in clusters, semi-circular, initially grayish white, then light gray, and gray or brown. The color of the nests/cocoons is very similar to that of the bark, especially in the early stages when they are small and more challenging to detected (as shown in Fig. 3a ). The larvae initially feed on the bark and, as they develop, progress to consume the libe and parts of the sapwood (see Fig. 3c ). As a result of damage caused by K. priapus , large wounds develop on the trunks. These wounds significantly impact the growth and quality of the trees. Additionally, severely damaged trees have yellow, underdeveloped foliage and many ulcers on the trunk, causing loss of aesthetic value.

Figures

Figure 3. Symptoms of Kamalia priapus attack in Homalium ceylanicum trees: a. nests/cocoons on the stems; b. the cocoon was partially open with a prepupa inside; c. the pupal chamber was opened including the bark with a pupa inside; d, e. damage lesions on stems.