Citrus flower moth

Prays citri

1. Identification

• Common name: Citrus flower moth
• Scientific name: Prays citri Millière
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Praydidae

2. Pest description

• Small caterpillars, greenish-yellow in colour, reaching 8–10 mm.
• Grey adults, with narrow, fringed wings; wingspan of 10–12 mm.
• Species associated mainly with citrus, with a high affinity for lemon.
• Caterpillars feed on young leaves, flowers and fruits, and can cause significant losses.

3. Main hosts

• Lemon.
• Orange, mandarin and other Citrus spp.
• Ornamental species of the genus Citrus spp.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Perforations and galleries in young leaves, often rolled or deformed.
• Damage to flowers, reducing fruit set.
• Superficial perforations in young fruits, which can cause early drop.
• Production losses in intense attacks, especially on lemon.

5. Biological cycle

• Eggs laid singly on the underside of the leaves, flowers or young fruits.
• Caterpillars develop over 2–3 weeks, feeding on tender tissues.
• Pupation in silky cocoons on the foliage or in cracks in the bark.
• Adults emerge throughout spring and summer; several generations per year, favoured by mild temperatures.

6. Monitoring

• Direct observation of perforations in leaves and flowers.
• Regular inspection of lemon trees, especially in spring.
• Pheromone traps for the detection of adults and tracking of flight peaks.
• Assessment of damage in young fruits after the main flights.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: removal of heavily attacked branches and destruction of infested residues.
• Preventive: frequent monitoring of orchards and integration with phenological models.
• Biological: application of Bacillus thuringiensis in the young stages of the caterpillars; promotion of natural enemies.
• Integrated protection: definition of intervention thresholds, judicious use of authorised insecticides and synchronisation with the flight peaks detected by traps.

Bibliographic references

• CABI – Invasive Species Compendium – Prays citri.
• EPPO Global Database – Prays citri.
• Alford, D. V. (2007). Pest and Disease Management Handbook. Blackwell Publishing.
• García‑Marí, F. et al. (2002). Biology and control of the citrus flower moth. Boletín de Sanidad Vegetal – Plagas, 28, 123–132.
• Navarro‑Llopis, V. et al. (2007). Monitoring and management of Prays citri in citrus orchards. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin, 30, 45–52.