ARS | Publication request: A new avocado pest in Central America (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) with a key to the Lepidoptera larvae threatening avocados in California

Submitted to: Lepidopterists Society Meeting
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 23, 2010
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
Citation: Gilligan, T.M., Brown, J.W., Hoddle, M.S. 2011. A new avocado pest in Central America (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) with a key to the Lepidoptera larvae threatening avocados in California. Lepidopterists Society Meeting. 93:649-650.

Interpretive Summary: Caterpillars of many species in the moth family known as leaf-rollers are important pests of forest, ornamental, and agricultural plants, costing millions of dollars in management and damage annually. In this paper we describe and illustrate a new species of leaf-roller that is a pest of avocado in Central America (Mexico and Guatemala). Because avocados from this region are imported into the United States, there is a potential for this species to become established in this country. This information will be of interest for action agencies, such as APHIS-PPQ, avocado growers and pest managers, and scientists interested in the early stages (eggs, larvae, and pupae) of leaf-roller moths.

Technical Abstract: Cryptaspasma perseana Gilligan & Brown, new species, is described and illustrated from Mexico and Guatemala. The species is a potential pest of fruit of cultivated avocado, Persea americana (Lauraceae). Images of adults, male secondary structures, male and female genitalia, eggs, larvae, and pupae are provided. Details of the life history are reviewed. We provide characters to differentiate this pest from the most common avocado fruit pest in the region, Stenoma catenifer (Walsingham) (Elachistidae), and a key to identifying Lepidoptera larvae threatening avocado in California. In addition, we provide a complete list of tortricids documented from different avocado varieties worldwide.