Fruit-piercing Moths Research Articles

First Record of <i>Megaselia scalaris</i> (Diptera: Phoridae) as a Parasitoid of <i>Thyas coronata</i> (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)

Thyas coronota (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Erebidea) is one of the most significant fruit-piercing moths, particularly on citrus fruits, d as a result of feeding, it causes significant injury. The parasitoid, Megaselia scalaris was observed on the exterior surface of last instar larva of T. coronata. The fly laid egg on the exterior surface of the host larva, the incubation period was three to four days. The fly went through larval instars, each lasting three to four days, then pupated for seven to eight days. Adults liked for five to eight days. This study first time reports the parasitisation of dipteran scavenger fly Megaselia scalaris on the serious fruit piercing moth Thyas coronota from India.

Differential olfactory responses associated with host plant shift by the fruit-piercing moth, Eudocima phalonia, in the Pacific islands

ABSTRACT The fruit-piercing moth (FPM) Eudocima phalonia is widely present in the tropics, causing major damages to the citrus industry. In its ancestral distribution range, e.g. Australia, FPM develops on vines from the Menispermaceae family. But in more recently colonized islands, e.g. New Caledonia, FPM populations have shifted to new host plants of the Fabaceae family, Erythrina spp.. To understand this host shift, we studied the chemical ecology of FPM as a mechanism driving host plant acceptance. We collected volatile headspace samples of Erythrina species and Menispermaceae and compared their chemical spectra. We assessed the electrophysiological responses of FPM populations from the two countries to the plant chemical extracts and identified bioactive compounds. The volatile profiles from each species were quite different between and within each plant family. However, five compounds common across the two families triggered electrophysiological responses in both FPM populations. Those common bioactive compounds could have facilitated the host shift to completely different plant family. Furthermore, the diverging history between the two FPM populations may explain differences in electrophysiological sensitivity to other specific compounds. These results are discussed in the context of the production of a generic lure that could be attractive to all FPM populations.

Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of Eudocima salaminia (Cramer, 1777) (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea), novel gene rearrangement and phylogenetic relationship within the superfamily Noctuoidea.

The species Eudocima salaminia (Cramer, 1777) commonly known as the fruit-piercing moth belongs to family Erebidae. Its distribution varies from India and across South-east Asia, pacific islands and parts of Australia. The insect is a devastating pest of citrus, longans and lychees. In the present study, complete mitochondrial genome of Eudocima salaminia was sequenced and analyzed using Illumina sequencer. The phylogenetic tree was reconstructed based on nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs using Maximum likelihood method-General Reversible mitochondrial (mtREV) model. The mitogenome has 15,597 base pairs (bp) in length, comprising of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and A + T-rich region. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) initiate with canonical start codon ATN. The gene order (trnQ-trnI-trnM) of tRNA shows a different rearrangement compared to ancestral insect gene order (trnI-trnQ-trnM). Almost all tRNAs have a typical cloverleaf secondary structure except for trnS1 (AGN) which lacks the dihydrouridine arm. At the beginning of the control region, we observed a conserved polyT", motif "ATTTA" and microsatellite (TA)n element. There are 21 intergenic regions and five overlapping regions ranging from 1 to 73bp and 1 to 8bp, respectively. The phylogenetic relationships based on nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs using Maximum likelihood method showed the family level relationships as (Notodontidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae + (Erebidae + Nolidae))). The present study represents the similarity to phylogenetic analysis of Noctuoidea mitogenome. Moreover, the family Erebidae is the sister to the families of (Euteliidae + Noctuidae + Nolidae).

The Common Fruit-Piercing Moth in the Pacific Region: A Survey of the Current State of a Significant Worldwide Economic Pest, Eudocima phalonia (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), with a Focus on New Caledonia.

Simple SummaryFruit-piercing moths have long been cited as important pests in tropical and subtropical countries but genus as Eudocima, has recently gained in significance, and more specifically Eudocima phalonia (Linneaus). An overview of the current pest control proposed in the literature pointed the lack of sustainable integrated pest management. A synthesis of available data opens the research per-spectives that need to be encouraged in the ecological transition of our agricultural models.When referring to fruit-piercing moths, the genus Eudocima, and more specifically Eudocima phalonia (Linneaus), is cited as a worldwide crop pest. Damages associated with this pest are substantial on more than 100 fruit species, wherever it is encountered. In New Caledonia, the once occasional pest has become a serious threat to the current fruit arboriculture. Particularly devastating during outbreak periods, it has become an urgent need to find a suitable solution able to support farmers in the ecological transition of our agricultural models. This review proposes a synthesis of the existing data and publications on E. phalonia, worldwide and especially in New Caledonia, with recent observations. The assessment of this knowledge and the dynamics of the species in the territory of New Caledonia provide key information for a better prospect of adapted solutions.

Synopsis of fruit-piercing moths of the genus Eudocima (Lepidoptera, Erebidae) from Colombia.

In order to provide information about the diversity and distribution of Eudocima species in Colombia, 261 specimens deposited in entomological collections were examined and identified. We found seven of the eight species of Eudocima recorded in the Neotropics: E. anguina, E. colubra, E. collusoria, E. memorans and E. serpentifera, all being recorded for the first time from the country. We provide a list of the species, comments on the biology and distribution data, illustrations of the adults, and keys for species identification.

Pomegranate fruits damaged by conspecifics attract fruit piercing moth eudocima materna (L.)

Polyphagous fruit piercing moth Eudocima materna (L.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was found making periodic visits to conspecific damaged pomegranate fruits, an interesting behavioral response went unnoticed hitherto. The data collected from E. materna damaged fruits revealed multiple moths feeding punctures viz., very old, old, fresh that were inflicted at different times. Significant positive associations (p = 0.01) were observed between different categories of feeding punctures. The fresh, old and very old feeding punctures explained the variability (p<0.0001) in the total feeding punctures/ fruit with R2 being 0.71, 0.49, 0.48, respectively. Further, very old and old feeding punctures described significant variability (p<0.0001) in the fresh (20%) and old feeding punctures (29%). The in vitro cage feeding bioassays and antennal response studies using EAG further endorsed the preference of E. materna to conspecific damaged fruits. The GCMS analysis of volatiles of undamaged and damaged fruits revealed the predominance of certain functional groups viz., alcohols, aldehydes, terpenoids etc. in later. The role of herbivore induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) from conspecific damaged fruits in attracting fruit piercing moths is discussed in detail.

Pest Injury Guilds, Lepidoptera, and Placing Fruit-Piercing Moths in Context: A Review

AbstractThe pest status of insects in agricultural settings is human-defined based on behaviors that may negatively impact the yield of susceptible crops. As such, both the insect behavior and the affected crop play a part in determining pest status. One helpful means of understanding pest status involves using pest injury guilds, which distinguish different pest groups based on similar kinds of injury to comparable plant tissues. Pest injury guilds defined in the literature are reviewed and then applied to agriculturally significant Lepidoptera. More specialized Lepidoptera behaviors which are economically relevant, such as leaf-rolling or stem-boring, are examined within their respective injury guilds. In this review, fruit-piercing moths are discussed within the context of pest Lepidoptera behaviors and are highlighted due to their unique means of causing economic damage. Unlike other Lepidoptera in agricultural settings, fruit-piercing moths are harmful as adults rather than larvae, and directly injure fruits using a specially adapted proboscis. The ecology and systematics of fruit-piercing moths, as well as current control options, are also discussed.

An Analysis of the Fruit-Sucking and Fruit-Piercing Moth Complex in Citrus Orchards in South Africa

Fruit-piercing moths are a sporadic pest of citrus, especially in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, where the adults can cause significant damage in outbreak years. However, growers confuse fruit-piercing moths with fruit-sucking moths that do not cause primary damage. In this study we trapped these moths during the 2013–2015 growing seasons. A large number of diverse fruit-feeding moths were collected through weekly sampling in citrus orchards in the Eastern Cape and northern Limpopo provinces. Twenty-three species of fruit-feeding moth were trapped. However, only two were fruit-piercing species, capable of causing primary damage, namely Serrodes partita (Fabricius) (Erebidae) and Eudocima divitiosa (Walker) (Erebidae). Surprisingly S. partita, which has been reported as the main fruit-piercing moth pest of citrus in South Africa, comprised only 6.9 % of trap catches. The categorisation of moths as fruit-piercing or fruit-sucking (causing secondary damage) was confirmed by examining the morphological structures (tearing hooks and erectile barbs) of these moths’ proboscides. This study has shown that in non-outbreak seasons, S. partita comprised only a small percentage of fruit-feeding moths in citrus orchards. However, growers may misidentify the harmless fruit-sucking species as fruit-piercing species, and thus overestimate the density of fruit-piercing moths.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of fruit-piercing moth Eudocima phalonia (Linnaeus, 1763) (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea)

The complete mitochondrial genome of the fruit piercing moth Eudocima phalonia (Linnaeus, 1763) (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea) was sequenced and characterized (Genbank Accession No: KY196412). The complete mitogenome is a circular molecule of 15,575bp length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rrnS and rrnL), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and an A+T-rich region (D-loop). The nucleotide composition of the genome is highly A+T biased, accounting for 80.67% of nucleotides. All tRNAs have putative secondary structures that are characteristic of mitochondrial tRNA. Most of the PCGs were initiated by typical ATN codons. Five genes were initiated by unusual codons. Cox1 gene was initiated by an unusual CGA codon and terminated by the typical stop codon GAA. Six genes ended with a single T. The A+T-rich region of 336bp consisted of repetitive sequences, including two ATAGA motifs, a 19bp poly-T stretch and three microsatellite-like regions ((TA)4, (TA)6 and two (TA)7). Moreover, three large tandem (one 40bp and two 25bp) repeated elements were identified in A+T-rich region. Phylogenetic analysis using PCGs revealed that Superfamily Noctuoidea is a monophyletic group.

Identification of Fruit-Piercing Moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) and Damage Caused to Papaya Fruit in Mexico

ABSTRACT: Eudocima spp. adults are moths that feed on ripe or ripening fruit. Occasionally, some species can cause economic losses in commercial crops. In Mexico, this group of lepidopterans has been little studied and the information is limited to capture records in diverse regions of the country. However, in recent years, damage to commercial maradol papaya crops caused by these moths has been detected. The species identified as Eudocima serpentifera and Eudocima apta were found feeding on papaya fruits. Although the two moths can be differentiated by external characteristics, problems have arisen in terms of determining the species. This paper provides comparative descriptions and images of diagnostic traits for precise identification. Moreover, the damage that these species cause is described and illustrated.

Host-Related Olfactory Behavior in a Fruit-Piercing Moth (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in Far Eastern Russia.

The host preference of the economically important fruit piercing moth, Calyptra lata (Butler 1881), was studied when exposed to different fruits and the odors of those fruits in enclosed feeding assays and in a two-choice olfactometer. The fruits consisted of three ripe and locally available types: raspberries, cherries and plums. Moths were released in cages with the ripened fruit and observed for any feeding events, which were then documented. Moths fed on both raspberries and cherries, but not on plums. To test the role of olfactory cues in fruit preference, male moths were released singly in the two choice olfactometer, with one type of fruit odor released in one arm and background control air in the other. The behavior of the moths was recorded on video. Parameters scored were 1) time to take off, 2) flight duration and 3) total time to source contact. The moths showed a significant preference for raspberry odor, exhibited a neutral response to cherry odor and significantly avoided the odor of plums. These results indicate that Calyptra lata demonstrates selective polyphagic feeding behavior and uses olfactory cues from both preferred and non-preferred fruits to detect and locate potential food sources. The possible implications for pest control are discussed.

Analysis of peach fruit headspace volatiles and response by the fruit-piercing moth Oraesia excavata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The fruit-piercing moth Oraesia excavata (Butler) only attacks ripe as opposed to immature peach fruits. The moth putatively uses volatile emissions from ripe peach fruits as a cue for food orientation. The volatiles emitted by ‘Hakutou’ peach (Prunus persica L.) fruit during maturation were analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Although seven compounds increased remarkably during maturation, among them, only ethyl acetate and ethyl butanoate elicited electroantennographic responses. During a field-trap test, traps baited with both compounds captured moths, but significantly fewer moths were captured by the traps as compared to peach fruit. However, traps baited with a mixture of both compounds and lactones peculiar to ripe peach fruits captured more moths than did traps with ripe peach fruits only. The results of a seasonal survey using this mixture as an attractant suggest that seasonal forecasting of the fruit-piercing moth is possible.

かんきつ類における黄色LED光を利用した果実吸蛾類の被害抑制効果の実証

三重県南伊勢町のかんきつ園において黄色LED 照明による果実吸蛾類の被害抑制効果の実証試験を行った。試験は2011年と2012年に実施し，2011年には 0.6 W の黄色LED 光源を19個，2012年には 4.3 W の黄色LED 光源を５個設置して試験区内を照明した。その結果，2011年，2012年ともに黄色LED 照明により最大照度 1 lux 以上の照度が確保できた樹では，果実吸蛾類による被害果の発生を抑制できた。それぞれの光源の年間コストと電気料金の合計は同程度であったが，栽培管理作業の障害になりにくい点から，設置数が少なくて済む 4.3 W 黄色LED 光の方が有効と考えられた。

SPECIES DIVERSITY AND SEASONAL ABUNDANCE OF FRUIT PIERCING MOTH COMPLEX IN TAMIL NADU

ABSTRACT Based on the survey made at different localities in Tamil Nadu, five species of primary fruit piercers belonging to two genera viz., Othreis materna (L.), O. fullonia (Clerck), O. homaena Hubner, O. salaminia (Cram.) and Rhytia hypermnestra (Stoll) were found to feed on guava and citrus fruits. Among the five species, O. materna was the predominant piercer followed by O. fullonia and O. homaena. The species viz., O. salaminia and R. hypermnestra were very less abundant in all the localities surveyed. Species richness of fruit piercing moth was higher in Periyakulam (2.173), low in Mettupalayam (1.103). The overall measure of diversity and relative abundance of fruit piercing moths was high at Periyakulam and low in Mettupalayam. Regarding seasonal abundance, the activity of O. materna found from the second fortnight of July to till January and O. fullonia and O. homaena was observed from the first week of September and continuing up to first forthnight of January. The larvae of R. hypermnestra were collected during first week of October and moth activity was recorded from the second fortnight of September.

Electroantennographic responses and field attraction to peach fruit odors in the fruit-piercing moth, Oraesia excavata (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The olfactory responses of adult males and females of the fruit-piercing moth, Oraesia excavata, to lactones as specific components among ripe peach fruit odors were recorded by electroantennogram (EAG) techniques and trap captures in the field. Six lactones (γ-hexalactone, γ-octalactone, δ-octalactone, γ-decalactone, δ-decalactone and γ-dodecalactone) and a green leaf volatile compound (cis-3-hexen-1-ol) as the reference compound for normalization were used to measure EAG responses. The EAG response to γ-hexalactone, shown to be the highest among the six lactones tested, did not reach as high as that to a mixture of five lactones when 10% concentrations (v/v) of the lactones were used. There was no significant difference between males and females in EAG responses to those compounds. In the field experiment, the number of moths captured by traps baited with a mixture of the five lactones (γ-hexalactone, γ-octalactone, γ-decalactone, δ-decalactone and γ-dodecalactone=142 : 7 : 145 : 70 : 28, v/v) was about half that captured with ripe peach fruit; however, the moths were not captured by traps with individual lactones. These results show that O. excavata is attracted by a mixture of lactones, but not by individual lactones, although individual lactones are recognized by antennal receptors.

Estimation of repellency of a volatile compound, sec-butyl .BETA.-styryl ketone, against fruit-piercing moths

Fruit-piercing moths such as Oraesia excavata (Butler), O. emarginata (Fabricius) and Adris tyrannus amurensis (Staudinger) are attracted to the volatiles emitted from various fruits and cause damage to these fruits. Especially, the volatiles emitted from ripe peach fruits are known to be attractive to the moths. In the present experiment, the repellency of a volatile compound, sec-butyl β-styryl ketone (4-methyl-1-phenylhex-1-en-3-one), was examined in or around peach orchards in order to prevent damage by fruit-piercing moths. In orchard experiments the moths were attracted and captured by ripe peach fruit traps. The number of captured moths in the traps was reduced by sec-butyl β-styryl ketone treatment, and hardly any moths were captured at a release rate of 1.0 mg/day. A significant reduction in ripe peach fruit damage was recorded with the use of sec-butyl β-styryl ketone (10 tubes of 1.0 mg/day release rate/tree). These results suggest that sec-butyl β-styryl ketone is a good repellent against fruit-piercing moths in the peach orchards.

Fruit maturity and soundness relevant to feeding choice by fruit-piercing moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in citrus crops in northeast Australia

Fruit-piercing moths are significant pests of a range of fruit crops throughout much of the world's tropics and subtropics. Feeding damage by the adult moths is most widely reported in varieties of citrus. In the years 2003 and 2004, fruit-piercing moth activity was observed regularly at night in citrus crops in northeast Australia, to determine the level of maturity (based on rind colour) and soundness of fruit attacked. ‘Navelina’ navel and ‘Washington’ navel orange, grapefruit and mixed citrus crops were assessed, and fruit was rated and placed into five categories: green, colouring, ripe, overripe and damaged. There were no statistical differences in the percentage of fruit attacked in each category across crops. However, within the individual crops significant proportions of green ‘Navelina’ fruit (58.7%) and green mixed citrus (57.1%) were attacked in 2004. Among all the crops assessed, 25.1% of moth feeding occurred on overripe or damaged fruit. Crops started to be attacked at least 8 weeks before picking, but in two crops there were large influxes of moths (reaching 27 and 35 moths/100 trees, respectively) immediately before harvest. Moth activity was most intense between late February and late March. Eudocima fullonia (Clerck) represented 79.1% of all moths recorded on fruit, with Eudocima materna (L.), Eudocima salaminia (Cramer) and Serrodes campana (Guen.) the only other species observed capable of inflicting primary damage. Our results suggest that growers should monitor moth activity from 8 weeks before harvest and consider remedial action if moth numbers increase substantially as the crop matures or there is a history of moth problems. The number of fruit pickings could be increased to progressively remove ripe fruit or early harvest of the entire crop contemplated if late influxes of moths are known.

Attraction of fruit-piercing moth Eudocima phalonia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to different fruit baits

The adult fruit-piercing moth, Eudocima ( fullonia) phalonia (L.) comb. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major pest of citrus and numerous other commercial fruit crops. Application of insecticides is undesirable particularly at harvest time in fruit crops. Here we report on the attraction of E. phalonia to different fruit baits. E. phalonia was significantly attracted to feed more on fruit puree with Agar and Phytogel than on fruit puree with Agarose. Of the 15 fruit baits tested, moths preferred to feed on banana baits more than on any other, followed by guava and orange, which were significantly more attractive than kiwi, apple, pineapple, pear, papaya, mango, grapefruit, tomato or green grape. Star fruit, plum and sour sop fruit baits were the least attractive and were no more attractive than water control treatments. The present study identifies valuable attractants which may be used as part of a lure and kill strategy for this important pest and also form a foundation upon which future bioassay-driven fractionation and chemical structure elucidation can be developed.

Host adaptation of the fruit piercing moth, Eudocima fullonia

. The fruit piercing moth, Eudocima fullonia (Clerck) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), whose larval host plants are vines of the family Menispermaceae in Asia, Africa and Australia, is thought to have adapted to Erythrina spp. in the Pacific and Papua New Guinea and has been designated as a separate biotype from the Australasian and African biotype. To test the hypothesis that the Pacific population of E. fullonia is a biotype, feeding trials with the host plants Tinospora homosepala Diels (Menispermaceae) and Erythrina variegata Linn. (Fabaceae) were conducted in Guam. The results indicate that the Guam population of E. fullonia is a biotype that has expanded its host range from its normal Menispermaceae plants to Erythrina species, possibly due to genetic changes and/or the presence of closely related alkaloids in both the species and paucity of menisperms.

Biology, rearing and field release on Guam of Euplectrus maternus, a parasitoid of the fruit-piercing moth, Eudocima fullonia

The eulophid parasitoid, Euplectrus maternus, is a gregarious ectoparasitoid of the larvae of thefruit-piercing moth, Eudocima (Othreis) fullonia. This parasitoid is indigenous to India and was released into Guam in 1998–99 to aid in the biological control of E. fullonia, an important pest of ripeguava, banana, mango, pomegranate, litchi,papaya, tomato, orange and other fruit crops.In the laboratory, biology and rearing of E. maternus on the larvae of E. fulloniawere studied. In no-choice tests, ovipositionby E. maternus was significantly greateron first and second instar larvae than on thirdinstar larvae. However, in free-choice tests,oviposition by E. maternus wassignificantly greater on second instar larvae,followed by first and third instar larvae. Thisparasitoid did not lay eggs on later instars,either in no-choice or free-choice tests.Females laid a significantly greater number ofeggs (>80%) on the dorsal surface of thelarvae than on either lateral or ventralsurfaces (1 to 8%). In general, more eggs werelaid on abdominal segments 1–3 on larvalinstars one to three. The survival of theimmature stages (from egg to adult) of E. maternus on second instar E. fullonialarvae was 61%, which was significantlygreater than the survival rates on first andthird instar larvae (32% and 26%), indicatingthat second instar host larvae are ideal formass rearing of the parasitoid. Mated femaleE. maternus continuously laid eggs on thesecond instar larvae of E. fullonia forup to 30 days, but the greatest number of eggswere laid during the first week after exposure.When E. maternus laid more than two eggson host larva, more female progeny wereproduced, indicating female-biasedreproduction. Adult parasitoids lived longerwhen fed with a honey: water (50% w/v)solution than with pure honey. Similarly, thefecundity of females increased significantlywhen fed with the honey-water solution whencompared to feeding with pure honey. To date,E. maternus has not established in Guam.