- T Grové and M S de Beer
- ARC-Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Private Bag Xl 1208, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa
- 2005
The litchi moth, Cryptophlebia peltastica (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and the false codling moth, Cryptophlebia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) are pests of litchi, Litchi chinensis Sonnerat in South Africa. Both species
are similar in appearance and eggs are laid on the skin of the fruit and newly hatched larvae eat through the skin and into fruit flesh and seed. The aim of the present study was to test field responses of Cryptophlebia males to different synthetic female pheromones. Trials were carried out in litchi orchards in the Nelspruit and Tzaneen areas. Yellow
delta traps with sticky liners were used in combination with the pheromones. Different control methods were also evaluated in the study which included: fenpropathrin (Meothrin, Philagro South Africa), triflumuron (Alsystin, Bayer CropScience), a granulovirus (Cryptex, Biological Control Products SA [Pty] Ltd) and bags (Bridspun, Cape Agricultural
Products [Pty] Ltd). Infestation levels in different production areas were assessed. The LFM PheroLure 1 (Insect Science SA) was the most effective pheromone for C peltastica in both areas. Results from the Nelspruit area indicated
that Chempack FCM Lure (Chempack [Pty] Ltd) attracted the highest number of C leucotreta while at Tzaneen the FCM PheroLure (Insect Science SA) was the most effective. The MNB PheroLure (Insect Science SA) was the most effective
for C batrachopa at both locations. Birdspun was the most effective control method but the method is not practical. The highest infestation level found was 12% in an orchard consisting of different selection and cultivars. Future research must address the need of alternative control methods and the pheromone identified for monitoring of C peltastica
will contribute towards understanding the population dynamics of the pest.