Hawthorn berry moth

Grapholita janthinana

1. Identification

• Common name: Hawthorn berry moth
• Scientific name: Grapholita janthinana Duponchel
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Tortricidae

2. Pest description

• Pinkish caterpillars, with a brown head, that develop inside the berries.
• Small adults, with brownish forewings with violet reflections.
• It attacks above all fruits of wild shrubs, especially hawthorn.
• A species typical of hedges, scrubland and natural areas, and may occur near orchards.

3. Main hosts

• Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna).
• Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).
• Damson.(Prunus insititia).
• Other shrubby rosaceous plants.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Perforations in the berries.
• Internal galleries with residues and excrement.
• Premature drop of the berries.
• Reduction of production in small wild fruits.
• Possible contamination of fruits intended for processing.

5. Biological cycle

• One generation per year.
• Eggs laid on the surface of the berries or on nearby leaves.
• Caterpillars penetrate the fruit quickly, where they complete their development.
• Pupation in the soil or in plant debris.
• Adults emerge in summer, with flight peaks between June and August.

6. Monitoring

• Observation of perforated berries with internal residues.
• Opening of suspect fruits to detect caterpillars.
• Monitoring with pheromone traps (when available).
• Assessment of the percentage of attacked fruits in hedges and orchard margins.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: removal of infested berries, cleaning of hedges and management of spontaneous vegetation.
• Biological: conservation of natural parasitoids of larvae and pupae.
• Integrated protection: regular monitoring and interventions only when justified; judicious use of authorised insecticides (when relevant for nearby crops).

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Grapholita janthinana.
• CABI Invasive Species Compendium – G. janthinana.
• Bradley, J. D. (1979). British Tortricoid Moths (Tortricidae).
• Brown, J. W. (2005). World Catalogue of Insects – Tortricidae.