Honeydew moth

Cryptoblabes gnidiella

1. Identification

• Common name: Honeydew moth
• Scientific name: Cryptoblabes gnidiella Millière
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Pyralidae

2. Pest description

• Whitish to pinkish caterpillars, with a brown head, reaching 10–12 mm.
• Small adults, with brownish forewings and a discreet pattern; wingspan of 12–18 mm.
• Caterpillars feed on flowers, berries and soft tissues, frequently associated with wounds or rots.
• Polyphagous species, of growing importance in vineyards and fruit trees.

3. Main hosts

• Grapevine.
• Citrus, pomegranate, persimmon, avocado and other subtropical fruit trees.
• Various ornamental and wild species.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Berries perforated and joined by fine webs, containing caterpillars and excrement.
• Development of secondary rots, especially Botrytis cinerea.
• Dried or shrivelled berries, premature drop and loss of quality.
• More severe damage in late summer and autumn.

5. Biological cycle

• Eggs laid singly or in small groups on flowers, berries or leaves.
• Caterpillars develop over 2–4 weeks, feeding on tender tissues.
• Pupation in silken cocoons on the vegetation or in the soil.
• Adults emerge from spring to autumn; several generations per year, favoured by high temperatures.

6. Monitoring

• Direct observation of webs, caterpillars and damaged berries.
• Pheromone traps for detecting adults and determining flight peaks.
• Assessment of bunches at pre‑closure and veraison, critical stages for the pest.
• Reinforced monitoring in areas with a history of attacks.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: removal of heavily attacked bunches; improvement of canopy ventilation; vigour management to reduce favourable microclimates.
• Preventive: regular monitoring and integration with phenological models.
• Biological: Mating disruption; promotion of natural enemies and use of Bacillus thuringiensis at young caterpillar stages.
• 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 – Cryptoblabes gnidiella.
• EPPO Global Database – Cryptoblabes gnidiella.
• Alford, D. V. (2007). Pest and Disease Management Handbook. Blackwell Publishing.
• Ribes, A. et al. (2013). Biology and management of the honeydew moth in vineyards. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin, 85, 123–130.
• Avidov, Z. et al. (1969). Studies on Cryptoblabes gnidiella in fruit crops. Israel Journal of Entomology, 4, 45–58.