False Codling Moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Cold Disinfestation Treatment Using Grapes as the Test Medium.

Abstract

Some countries consider false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a phytosanitary pest and may require the application of a mitigation treatment before accepting T. leucotreta-susceptible produce. This research reports on cold treatments that provide the phytosanitary security that this pest would not be accidentally imported alive. More than 35,000 individuals were treated for 20 d at 0.8 °C and >30,000 individuals subjected to - 0.6 °C for 18 d, with no survivors. The adoption of these treatments in international fruit trade protocols is recommended.