Monopetalotaxis candescens

Monopetalotaxis candescens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Sesiidae
Genus:	Monopetalotaxis
Species:	M. candescens
Binomial name
Monopetalotaxis candescens (Felder, 1874)[1]
Synonyms
Trochilina candescens Felder, 1874

Monopetalotaxis candescens is a moth of the Sesiidae family. It is known from South Africa.

The larvae bore the roots of Aspalathus linearis. They are considered the principal insect pest associated with rooibos or red bush tea production. Annual moth flights peak during November and December, resulting in young plantations being targeted during the hot, dry summer conditions prevailing at this time.^[2]

References

1. Afro Moths
2. Phenology and Behaviour of the Clearwing Moth, Monopetalotaxis candescens (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), Associated with Cultivated Rooibos, Aspalathus linearis (Fabaceae), in South Africa