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Orange Mint Moth | |
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Orange Mint Moth: A
beneficial Insect in Washinton Commercial Mints K. S. Pike, C. L. Campbell, and D. W. Allison Washington State University, Irrigated Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Prosser, WA 1986. Research Bulletin 0982 ABSTRACT Information is provided on the life history and biology of the orange mint moth (Pyrausta orphisalis), its natural enemies, and its economic impact to spearmint and peppermint on which it feeds. Although previously considered a mint pest, new evidence shows that it is not injurious to the commercial mints. Though it causes some immediate damage to terminal growth, it also causes at times, increased lateral branching, leaf production, and higher oil yields compared with uninfested mint. Also see Pike et al. 1987. Effects of Pyrausta orphisalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on plant growth and oil yield in Scotch spearmint, native spearmint, and peppermint. J. Econ. Entomol. 80:69-72. |