David Astridge and Harry Fay

Description

Adult

There are three widely occurring species of fruit piercing moth Eudocima salaminia, Eudocima fullonia and E. materna. The adult moths are large and stout-bodied, with a wingspan of 100 mm. The forewings can be mainly brown, cream or green. Hind wings are yellow orange, with black patches and spots.

Immature stages

Larvae are velvety-black. The larvae of Eudocima spp. have two large spots (mainly white with dark centres) on either side of the body just before the first pair of prolegs.

Eudocima salaminia moth resting on a fruit.	Eudocima fullonia with wings pinned out.

Life history

The larvae feed on native vines for about three weeks, progressing through five or six stages, or instars, before forming a dark-brown pupae in a delicate silk cocoon between webbed leaves. After 2½ weeks adults emerge from the pupa. Breeding occurs through most of the year in north Queensland, although it is much reduced during the dry season. In drier areas such as Central Queensland outbreaks are more common in wet years that are favourable to continuous growth of the larval-host vines.

Distribution

Fruitpiercing moths are found on the east-coast of Australia, north from the Northern Rivers District of New South Wales. A few species also occur across the north of the continent. It is believed that they die out in areas south of Mackay/Rockhampton in cold winters and reinvade the southern areas after winter.

Host range

Moths feed on carambola, banana, citrus, fig, guava, kiwifruit, longan lychee, mango, stonefruit, persimmon and ripening papaw. Larval hosts include native vines of the family Menispermaceae (of which there are about 20 species in north Queensland) The preferred species are Tinospora smilacina and Stephania spp.

Management

Importance

Major and sporadic. Several genera of noctuid moths are fruit piercing but the most damaging are Eudocima fullonia, E. materna, E. jordani and E. salaminia.

Damage

Moths feed at night by penetrating the skin of the ripe or ripening fruit with their strong proboscis and sucking the juice. Internal injury consists of a bruised dry area beneath the skin. Secondary rots develop at the puncture site. Fermenting fruit are often visited and fed on by secondary-moth feeders taking advantage of the access hole drilled by fruitpiercing moths. Early summer to early autumn is the most important period.

Action level

Not determined, but would depend on individual fruit value. Nightly inspections with a strong torch are recommended when fruit is nearing maturity. The red eyes of the moths will reflect the light from a torch, aiding detection.

Control methods

Cultural

Netting trees or bagging fruits is very effective. Early harvest, where it doesn't jeopardise maturity standards, will help to reduce losses.

Biological

Several native parasitic wasps are known but have limited impact during summer.

Chemical

No satisfactory chemical control measure is known. Hand collection of moths and various traps have had limited success.

Recommended chemicals

None recommended.

A baiting system has been developed but is not yet commercially available.

Note: This information was correct at the time of publication. However, it is the user's responsibility to ensure that registered agricultural chemicals are used in accordance with legal requirements. (See Further information). Always read the label.

Further information

• Contact the DPI&F Call Centre on 13 25 23 - local call 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday (non-Queensland residents phone 07 3404 6999). E-mail: callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au
  
• Contact the DPI&F bookshop on 07 3239 3772 or  DPI&F Shop-online or at some DPI&F offices throughout Queensland for the DPI&F publications
  
• Infopest CD-ROM contains current national information on registered agricultural chemicals and is available from Infopest, DPI&F, GPO Box 46, Brisbane Qld 4001 or by email from infopest@dpi.qld.gov.au
  

Recommended Reading:

Fay, H. 1987, Fruit piercing moth, Rare Fruit Council of Australia Incorporated, Newsletter 42, 17-19.

Fay, H. 1997. Fruit Piercing Moth on Citrus: a perspective including control developments. DPI note, Agdex 220/622, 5pp.

Swaine, G., Ironside, D.A. and Corcoran, R.J. 1991, Insect pests of fruit and vegetables, 2nd Edition, Queensland Department Primary Industries, Information Series QI91018.

Other contacts: 

Growcom on 07 3620 3844

Growers interested in the production of minor tropical fruits can join their local branch of the Rare Fruits Council and subscribe to their newsletter. Contact the Rare Fruits Council at PO Box 1375 Aitkenvale 4814

The DPI&F library provides a personalised information search service that may be useful for producers seeking information on minor and exotic crops

DPI&F InfoResearch on 07 3239 6989.

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Information contained in this publication is provided as general advice only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought. The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the information in this publication is accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they make appropriate inquiries to determine whether new information is available on the particular subject matter.

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Last updated 15 December 2005