European pepper moth

Duponchelia fovealis

1. Identification

• Common name: European pepper moth
• Scientific name: Duponchelia fovealis Zeller
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Crambidae

2. Pest description

• Whitish to brownish caterpillars, with a dark head, reaching 10–12 mm.
• Small adults, with brownish wings and a light transverse pattern; wingspan of 18–22 mm.
• Caterpillars feed on leaves, stems, flowers and fruits, frequently in humid and shaded areas.
• Species with a high affinity for protected crops (greenhouses), where it develops continuously.

3. Main hosts

• Pepper plant.
• Strawberry plant, chrysanthemum, gerbera and other ornamentals.
• Various vegetable crops grown in greenhouses.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Holes and galleries in leaves, stems and petioles.
• Damage to flowers and young fruits, with the presence of dark excrement.
• Wilting of branches due to the internal destruction of tissues.
• In greenhouses, it may cause significant losses due to rapid population growth.

5. Biological cycle

• Eggs laid singly or in small groups on the vegetation or in the soil.
• Caterpillars develop over 2–3 weeks, preferring humid and sheltered areas.
• Pupation in silky cocoons at the base of the plants, in the soil or in protected structures.
• Adults emerge throughout the year in greenhouses; several generations per year.

6. Monitoring

• Direct observation of caterpillars and damage to leaves, stems and fruits.
• Pheromone traps for the detection of adults and tracking of flight peaks.
• Regular inspection of the base of the plants, where the caterpillars frequently hide.
• Reinforced monitoring in greenhouses with a history of the pest.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: improvement of ventilation; reduction of excessive humidity; removal of plant debris and heavily attacked plants.
• Preventive: inspection of ornamental and vegetable plants before entry into the greenhouse; elimination of initial outbreaks.
• Biological: application of Bacillus thuringiensis in early stages; promotion of natural enemies when present.
• Integrated protection: judicious use of authorised insecticides, rotation of modes of action and synchronisation with the flight peaks detected by traps.

Bibliographic references

• CABI – Invasive Species Compendium – Duponchelia fovealis.
• EPPO Global Database – Duponchelia fovealis.
• Alford, D. V. (2007). Pest and Disease Management Handbook. Blackwell Publishing.
• van der Straten, M. J. et al. (2010). Biology and spread of Duponchelia fovealis in greenhouse crops. Journal of Applied Entomology, 134, 1–9.
• Navarro‑Llopis, V. et al. (2012). Monitoring and management of D. fovealis in protected crops. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin, 80, 123–130.