The avocado fruit borer, Stenoma catenifer (wals.) (Lepidoptera: elachistidae): egg and damage distribution and parasitism

Celso Luiz Hohmann,Ana Maria Meneguim,Carla Zandoná,Elizete Anelli Andrade,Tanara Garcia De Novaes

doi:10.1590/s0100-29452003000300018

Celso Luiz Hohmann, Ana Maria Meneguim + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-29452003000300018

Copy DOI

Abstract

The avocado fruit borer, Stenoma catenifer (Wals.) has been a limiting factor in growing avocados over the last years in many Brazilian states. This is a result of the lack of safe and feasible management practices to minimize the fruit borer damage. The aim of this study was to obtain information on the pest biology and ecology as well as on the role of natural enemies to define strategies to control the pest. Samples were taken biweekly and consisted of 20 fruits collected randomly (10 from the upper half and 10 from the lower half of the plant) in ten plants, cv. Margarida, in a commercial avocado grove in Arapongas and Cambé regions, PR, from October/2001 to September/2002. Laboratory determinations of the percentage of damaged fruit per plant region, location and number of bored fruit sites, and the number and location of the fruit borer eggs, including parasitized ones, were performed. The results showed that S. catenifer preferred to oviposit and attack fruits located on the upper half of the trees. The majority of the eggs were laid on the fruit pedicel whereas the damage was mainly located on the lower half of the fruits. Trichogrammatids were the most constant and abundant parasitoids found in both localities throughout the study period.

Highlights

The unavailability of feasible and safe management practices to control the avocado fruit borer, Stenoma catenifer (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae), have maintained the avocado production at a high risk in the State of Parana, and in various other states of Brazil in the last years.The adult is a small moth measuring approximately 1.5 cm in length, with yellowish color and typical “S” shaped dark dots on the front wings
As S. catenifer lays its eggs directly on the fruit control strategies must be applied during a short interval to be effective, i.e., from the time the egg hatches to the time the first instar larva bores into the fruit
In this study we seek to improve our understanding on the biology and ecology of the avocado fruit borer as to improve insect monitoring and the application of control measures

Summary

Introduction

The unavailability of feasible and safe management practices to control the avocado fruit borer, Stenoma catenifer (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae), have maintained the avocado production at a high risk in the State of Parana, and in various other states of Brazil in the last years.The adult is a small moth measuring approximately 1.5 cm in length, with yellowish color and typical “S” shaped dark dots on the front wings. The unavailability of feasible and safe management practices to control the avocado fruit borer, Stenoma catenifer (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae), have maintained the avocado production at a high risk in the State of Parana, and in various other states of Brazil in the last years. Despite the severe losses caused by S. catenifer over the years, there is still need for basic studies on the spatial and seasonal distribution of eggs and injuries, and on the role of natural enemies as a pest control factor. In this study we seek to improve our understanding on the biology and ecology of the avocado fruit borer as to improve insect monitoring and the application of control measures. Trichogrammatids are common natural control agents associated to the avocado fruit borer in the State of Parana (Hohmann & Meneguim, 1993; Hohmann et al, 2000; Hohmann et al, 2001)

Objectives

Methods

Results