Moth presents snag in biofuels progress

ArgusLeader.com
Cody Winchester • cwincheste@argusleader.com • December 5, 2010

Eating habits of insect pose problem for researchers

Scientists at South Dakota State University are shedding new light on an insect that could compete with humans for switchgrass, a potential biofuel crop, underscoring the need for more research in this developing area.

In a study published Oct. 25 in Zootaxaca, a taxonomy journal, entomologist Paul Johnson and agronomist Arvid Boe describe the life cycle of the moth Blastobasis repartella, whose larvae bore into the stems of switchgrass stalks. The lead author was a taxonomist from the Smithsonian Institute.

Switchgrass, long grown for conservation and forage, is a strong candidate as a biofuel and a source of cellulosic ethanol. If native grasses like it are to be farmed commercially, science and industry need to know more about their natural ecologies - including their natural pests, Johnson said.

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