- T Grove, W P Steyn and M S de Beer
- ARC-Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops Private Bag X11108, Nelspruit 1100, South Africa
- 2004
The false codling moth, Cryptophlebia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and the litchi moth, Cryptophlebia peltastica (Meyrick) are known to attack litchi fruit in South Africa. In the present study a survey was conducted to determine which of the two species are dominant and to determine if the macadamia nut borer Cryptophlebia batrachopa (Meyrick) is attacking litchi in South Africa. Males of the three Cryptophlebia species were monitored with pheromone traps in different production areas. The time of the development of C. leucotreta larvae in the litchi was determined. A survey was done in the different production areas to determine the level of infestation in the orchards. All three Cryptophlebia species were captured at study sites at Friedenheim, Hazyview and Nelspruit. Cryptophlebia batrachopa was not captured in the Malelane area. Low numbers of C. leucotreta were present in the Lorelei trap in comparison to the Delta trap with either Last Call FCM or Chempack FCM Lure, both which captured high numbers. Cryptophlebia peltastica was the dominant species collected from the fruit. The larval development of C. leucotreta in the fruit lasted from 4 to 6 weeks. The highest infestation level of 5.8% was found in the Tzaneen area.
Summary:
The study focused on three Cryptophlebia species: the false codling moth (Cryptophlebia leucotreta), the litchi moth (Cryptophlebia peltastica), and the macadamia nut borer (Cryptophlebia batrachopa).
Cryptophlebia leucotreta and C. peltastica are established pests of litchi fruit in South Africa, while C. batrachopa had not been recorded on litchi in South Africa but is a potential pest.
Pheromone traps were used to monitor male populations of the three species at multiple litchi production sites in Mpumalanga province.
Cryptophlebia peltastica was the dominant species found infesting litchi fruit, despite higher trap catches of C. leucotreta males.
Larval development of C. leucotreta inside litchi fruit lasted approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
Infestation levels varied between orchards, with the highest recorded infestation of 5.8% found in Tzaneen.
C. batrachopa was not captured in the Malelane area but was present in other litchi orchards monitored.
Different pheromone traps showed varying effectiveness in capturing species, with Delta traps with certain lures being more effective than Lorelei traps for C. leucotreta.
The study suggests quarantine treatments for litchi must consider both C. leucotreta and C. peltastica due to their presence and damage.
Active management by registered insecticides teflubenzuron and triflumuron is currently used for controlling these moth pests.