Pg. 52-59 Cryptophlebia species (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

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.