Was the Silver Y Moth Autographa gamma (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Plusiinae) in South America?

In this study we confirmed former records of Autographa gamma in South America by examining four individuals collected in different locations of Brazil and Uruguay. Species identity was established by examining male and female genitalia morphology. Some, but not all, location records are in the vicinity of cities with large seaports used for commercial trades of agricultural goods. Additionally, literature records indicate this species was using local hostplants. Furthermore, addtional repports states that this species had large populations during the end of thirties decade but vanished after that without further justification. Here we discuss aspects related to a possible reintroduction of species in the future as a consequence of the increasing world trade business.