The Cinnabar Moth, Tyria jacobaeae for Control of Tansy Ragwort1

Abstract

The cinnabar moth. Tyria jacobaceae (L.), is making promising progress in the control of tansy ragwort, Senecio jacobaea near Fort Bragg, California. Although the insect is established in other areas of California and Oregon, the densities of populations have not yet reached the level required for control of the plant. In California, biological development of the insect is synchronized with the development of the plant, and parasites, predators, and disease have had little effect on the population at Fort Bragg.