Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapindaceae), a new host of Ecdytolopha aurantianum (Lima) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae)

Abstract

Ecdytolopha aurantianum (Lima) (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae) is a serious pest of citrus in Trinidad, West Indies. The forest tree Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapindaceae) is demonstrated to be an alternative host of E. aurantianum . S. saponaria flowers from November to December and fruit are suitable for the development of E. aurantianum from December to February. The total egg to adult development period in the laboratory at 25 C was 36.6+/-0.8 and 37.3+/-1.0 days for males and females respectively. Oviposition peaked 6 days after emergence. Variability in development rates, longevity of adults and fecundity was attributable partly to the degree of maturity of the host fruit. The mean fecundity was 86.9+/-8.5 eggs for moths reared in the laboratory and ranged from 13.6 to 58.3 for batches of moths collected as larvae in the field. Mean adult longevity of laboratory-reared moths was 9.5+/-0.4 and 10.0+/-0.4 days for males and females respectively, but was lower for adults reared from field-collected larvae. It is likely that other plant hosts, and/or a dormant phase, are important in the life history of the moth. Removal of S. saponaria adjacent to the citrus crop is recommended for control of the moth.