Early Chestnut Tortrix

Pammene fasciana

1. Identification

• Common name: Early chestnut tortrix moth
• Scientific name: Pammene fasciana L.
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Tortricidae

2. Pest description

• Adults: Small moths (≈ 12–15 mm wingspan); dark‑brown forewings with light spots and a marbled pattern; brownish hindwings.
• Larvae: Yellowish‑white to pinkish body; brown head; up to 10 mm in length.
• Eggs: Isolated, whitish, laid on the surface of young fruits or on the leaves.

3. Main hosts

• Horse chestnut.
• Other ornamental species of Aesculus.
• Chestnut, with greater susceptibility in early varieties (e.g.: ‘Lada’, ‘Soutos Precoces’, ‘Aveleira’, ‘Martainha Precoce’), due to the coincidence between fruit development and the oviposition period of the pest.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Perforations in the fruits, generally in the apical zone.
• Presence of exudates and fruit residues on the surface.
• Internal galleries that compromise the development of the seed.
• Premature drop of infested fruits.
• Damage mainly aesthetic and with impact on ornamental trees.

5. Biological cycle

• Winter spent as a mature larva in cocoons in the soil or in the bark of the trees.
• Adults emerge in spring, coinciding with floral and fruit development.
• Females oviposit on the young fruits.
• Larvae feed inside the fruits until they complete development.
• Pupation in the soil or in shelters on the tree.
• One generation per year.

6. Monitoring

• Direct observation of young fruits for detection of initial perforations.
• Assessment of the premature drop of fruits.
• Visual monitoring of adults during spring.
• Historical record of the holding or green space for risk forecasting.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: Collection and destruction of fallen fruits; removal of attacked fruits on the tree; surface tillage of the soil to expose cocoons.
• Biological: Conservation of natural beneficials (parasitoids of eggs and larvae).
• Integrated protection: Intervention only when the damage justifies it; use of selective methods compatible with beneficials; regular monitoring in sensitive ornamental trees.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Pammene fasciana.
• CABI Invasive Species Compendium – Pammene fasciana.
• Alford, D. V. (2007). Pest and Disease Management Handbook.
• Freina, J. J. & Witt, T. (2001). Die Schmetterlinge der Türkei.
• Brown, J. W. (2005). World Catalogue of Insects – Tortricidae.