False codling moth

Thaumatotibia leucotreta

1. Identification

• Common name: False codling moth
• Scientific name: Thaumatotibia leucotreta Meyrick
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Tortricidae

2. Pest description

• Caterpillars initially whitish, becoming pinkish or orange; brown head capsule; 12–15 mm.
• Small adults, brownish forewings with irregular patterns; greyish hindwings.
• Highly polyphagous species, with major economic impact on fruit growing.
• Caterpillars develop inside the fruits, feeding on the pulp and seeds.
• Capable of completing several generations per year, favoured by high temperatures.

3. Main hosts

• Citrus.
• Peach and nectarine.
• Apple and pear.
• Avocado.
• Capsicum spp.
• Cotton.
• Various wild host species.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Discreet perforations in the skin of the fruits.
• Exudation of gum or dry residues at the entry zone.
• Presence of frass inside the fruit.
• Destroyed pulp and consumed seeds.
• Premature fruit drop.
• Apparently healthy fruits may be internally infested.
• Significant economic losses and phytosanitary restrictions.

5. Biological cycle

• Eggs laid singly on the surface of the fruits.
• Caterpillars penetrate the fruit shortly after hatching.
• Pupation in the soil or inside fallen fruits.
• Adults with crepuscular and nocturnal activity.
• Several generations per year, depending on climatic conditions.

6. Monitoring

• Sexual pheromone traps to capture males.
• Direct observation of symptoms on the fruits.
• Regular sampling in orchards, especially in fruits close to ripening.
• Opening of fallen fruits to detect caterpillars.
• Recording of captures to assess population pressure.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: removal and destruction of fallen fruits; orchard hygiene; reduction of alternative hosts.
• Preventive: frequent monitoring; reinforced attention during periods of greater risk.
• Biological: promotion of natural enemies; application of Bacillus thuringiensis at young stages, where applicable.
• Integrated protection: use of pheromone traps; judicious application of authorised insecticides; mating disruption strategies when available; integration of cultural, biological and chemical measures.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Thaumatotibia leucotreta.
• CABI – Invasive Species Compendium – Thaumatotibia leucotreta.
• Moore, S. D. & Hattingh, V. (2012). A review of false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta, in citrus. Citrus Research International.
• Venette, R. C. et al. (2003). Mini risk assessment: False codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta. USDA Forest Service.