Solanum lycocarpum Saint Hilaire (Solanaceae) is Host Plant of Leucanella memusae (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Hemileucinae) in Brazilian Mountain Grasslands

Abstract

Larvae of the subfamily Hemileucinae possess urticating bristles capable of inducing stinging in humans. The objective of this report was to describe Solanum lycocarpum Saint Hilaire (Solanaceae) as a natural host of Leucanella memusae (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Hemileucinae) larvae in Brazilian mountain grasslands. Individuals of L. memusae complete their life cycle feeding on leaves of S. lycocarpum, and have the potential to migrate to agricultural crops in the region of Diamantina, Minas Gerais State.