A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V WXY Z

Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

Mango red-banded caterpillar (281)

Photos 1. Red-banded mango caterpillar, Deanolis sublimbalis, showing the destruction of the seed.

Photo 2. Larvae of the red-banded mango caterpillar, Deanolis sublimbalis, in the seed of a mango fruit.

Photo 3. Dark stains on the sides of the fruit from liquid oozing out of entry sites made by the larvae of the red-banded mango caterpillar, Deanolis sublimbalis.

Photo 4. Red-banded mango caterpillar, Deanolis sublimbalis.

Photo 5. Adult of the red-banded mango caterpillar, Deanolis sublimbalis.

Summary

Widespread distribution. Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania. On mango, both the cultivated, and wild species.
Eggs laid on fruit stalks. Larvae bore into fruit, and one bores to the seed, and the others disperse. When mature, the larvae are white, have black heads and 11 red bands. Adults are greyish/pale brown; and nocturnal.
Spread by flight and by the trade in fruit.
Natural enemies: wasp parasitoids and ants.
Cultural control: if trees are pruned to a suitable height bag the fruit; remove fruit with stains (a sign of larvae inside). A pheromone has been trialed.
Chemical control: thiaclorpid (a neonicotinoid) used in Papua New Guinea, and synthetic pyrethroids in the Philippines.

Common Name

Red-banded mango caterpillar, mango seed borer

Scientific Name

Deanolis sublimbalis; also known as Noorda albizonalis, and Deanolis albizonalis.

AUTHOR Grahame Jackson
Information from Red banded mango caterpillar (2013) Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Queensland Government. (https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/plants/health-pests-diseases/a-z-significant/red-banded-mango-caterpillar); and from Royer J (2008) Red banded mango caterpillar. Mango industry biosecurity plan (threat-specific contingency plan). Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland Government. (https://www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Red-banded-mango-caterpillar-CP.pdf); and Tenakanai1 D, et al. (2006) Red-banded mango caterpillar, Deanolis sublimbalis Snellen (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Odontinae), in Papua New Guinea. In: Price TV (ed) 'Pest and disease incursions: risks, threats and management in Papua New Guinea'. Canberra, ACIAR Technical Reports No. 62:161-165; and CABI (2012) Deanolis albizonalis (mango seed borer). Crop Protection Compendium. (www.cabi.org/cpc). Photos 1-5 Walker K et al. (2005) Red banded mango caterpillar (Deanolis sublimbalis). (PaDIL - (https://www.padil.gov.au).

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

This mini fact sheet is a part of the app Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

The mobile application is available from the Google Play Store and Apple iTunes.