Olive pyralid moth

Euzophera pinguis

1. Identification

• Common name: Olive pyralid moth
• Scientific name: Euzophera pinguis Haworth
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Pyralidae

2. Pest description

• Adults 18–22 mm in wingspan, forewings brownish with irregular patterns.
• Larvae whitish to pinkish, with a dark head.
• Larvae bore into young branches and trunks, creating internal galleries.
• Presence of sawdust and gummy exudation at the attack sites.
• More intense activity in weakened or stressed trees.

3. Main hosts

• Olive tree.
• Wild olive (Olea europaea var. sylvestris).
• Other Oleaceae as occasional hosts.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Borings and galleries in young branches and trunks.
• Gum exudation and accumulation of sawdust in the cracks.
• Drying of branches and reduction of the tree's vigour.
• Breakage of affected branches.
• In severe attacks, progressive decline of the plant.

5. Biological cycle

• One to two generations per year, depending on the climate.
• Oviposition in bark cracks or weakened areas.
• Larvae develop inside the wood.
• Pupation within the galleries.
• Adults emerge in spring and summer.

6. Monitoring

• Observation of sawdust and gummy exudation on branches.
• Checking for recent galleries and borings.
• Intensive monitoring in olive groves with weakened trees.
• Recording of branch drying and decline symptoms.
• Assessment of attack intensity to determine the need for intervention.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: pruning of attacked branches, elimination of infested wood and improvement of the vegetative condition of the trees.
• Biological: promotion of natural enemies present in the ecosystem.
• Integrated protection: regular monitoring, interventions only when justified, judicious application of authorised products and integration of cultural practices to reduce the susceptibility of the trees.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Euzophera pinguis.
• CABI Invasive Species Compendium – E. pinguis.
• Bento, A. et al. (2001). Pragas da oliveira e sua gestão integrada.
• Ramos, P. et al. (2010). Lepidópteros xilófagos associados à oliveira.