Pg. 33-35 Progress on the laboratory rearing of the litchi moth, Cryptophlebia peltastica (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The litchi moth, Cryptophlebia peltastica (Meyrick) {Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a quarantine pest of litchi, Litchi chinensis Sonnerat, in South Africa. The female lays her eggs on the skin of the fruit and newly hatched larvae eat through the skin and into the fruit flesh and seed. The aim of the present study was to rear high numbers of the litchi moth in captivity for future research. Infested litchi fruit was collected in the Nelspruit area during the growing season. Final instar larvae found in the fruit were placed in plastic containers with sand for the larvae to pupate in. Pupae found were placed in a gauze cage to emerge. Adult moths were kept in this cage at room temperature. Eggs laid were placed into honey flasks with a steam sterilized maize meal medium and kept at room temperature. These eggs hatched and currently eggs of the fifth generation are on medium. From these results found, it appears as if the establishment of a laboratory colony is well on the way.