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Guava bud moth (381)

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Photo 1. Larva of the guava bud moth, Strepicrates ejectana, with orange head and dark grey upper body in unfurled leaf, exposed to show leaf damage.

Photo 2. Extensive damage to apex of shoot by the larva of the guava bud moth, Strepicrates ejectana.

Photo 3. Extensive damage to shoot tip by the larva of the guava bud moth, Strepicrates ejectana. The cocoon of the pupa is shown clearly.

Photo 4. Adult guava bud moth, Strepicrates ejectana.

Photo 5. Adult guava bud moth, Strepicrates ejectana.

Common Name

Guava bud moth. Swaine (1971)¹ refers to the moth as a 'webworm'.

Scientific Name

Strepsicrates ejectana. It was previously known as Strepsicrates holotephras. However, there is some doubt whether these two species are the same based on male genitalia, which are used by taxonomists to differentiate between species of Strepsicrates. A revision of the genus is needed. The moth was first described from Fiji. It is a moth of the Tortricidae.

Distribution

Restricted. It is reported from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and from the following Pacific islands: Fiji, French Polynesia, Northern Mariana Islands, and Samoa.

Hosts

The larvae feed on Thryptomene calycina (a small shrub with white flowers native to Australia), guava, cherry guava, Malay (rose) apple, pitanga or Suriname cherry, and Metrosideros collina (a native to French Polynesia and Cook Islands). Many of these plants are in the Myrtaceae family. In Fiji, it is recorded on Eucalyptus and also on tea, under the name Strepsicrates holotrephas.

Symptoms & Life Cycle

The caterpillars or larvae of the moth do the damage. Eggs are laid on young guava shoots (evidence from other species attacking guava, e.g., Strepsicrates smithiana). The larvae live in the rolled and webbed terminal leaves and their chewing causes yellowing of the leaves and eventually death of the shoot (Photos 1-3). When mature, the larva are 12 mm long, yellowish below and grey above. The head is yellowish-brown, the gut shows in places through the skin, and a U-shaped mark is present on the top of the last segment of the abdomen. The larvae also damage the young fruit by eating surface layers.

The pupae are about 8 mm long and develop in the webbed leaves.

The adult moth is 6 mm long with a wingspan is about 20 mm. The forewings are greyish brown with darker irregularly-shaped markings, and white speckling; the fringed hindwings are pale brown, with darker veins and borders (Photos 4&5).

Impact

There have been no investigations into the damage caused by this moth on cultivated guava in the Pacific, but on wild trees in Fiji, Swaine (1971) states: "At times, this is sufficiently numerous on guava to check its growth". It is very likely that similar damage occurs in plantations of cultivated varieties.

Detection & Inspection

Look for rolled leaves, and the webs that hold them together. Unroll the leaves of the terminal shoots, and look for the larva or pupa, frass, webbing and extensive damage (and death) of the shoot.

Management

NATURAL ENEMIES
None have been reported from Fiji, but it is likely that minute species of wasp parasitise the eggs or larvae of the guava bud moth.

CULTURAL CONTROL

Before planting:

• Inspect plants in the nursery and if rolled leaves are seen, kill the larvae inside by squeezing between finger and thumb, or if too numerous treat with a pesticide (see below).

During growth:

• In the field, routinely inspect the bushes, especially when the plants are young, and kill the larvae in rolled leaves or spray if infestations are large.
• Plant large blocks of flowering plants within and around guava plantations to attract parasitoids and to provide them with a source of nectar.

CHEMICAL CONTROL

• Use PDPs (botanicals) to safeguard natural enemies (chillies, neem, derris, pyrethrum), or microbial, commercial products, such as, spinosad, Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki) sprays against caterpillars when young.
• In Florida, a number of insecticides have been registered for use on guava against a related species, Strepsicrates smithiana. Those recommended against lepidoptera (i.e., moth larvae) are: Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), spinosad, pyrethrins (from pyrethrum or Chrysanthemum flowers), and malathion.
• In Australia, spinetoram (Success), carbaryl and the systemic dimethoate are registered for guava. Spot-spraying damaged shoots should be sufficient. Avoid 'blanket' spraying entire trees. To avoid killing natural enemies, if possible, avoid using malathion, carbaryl or dimethoate.

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