Insecta, Lepidoptera, Hyponomeutidae .
Description, Biology, Life Cycle, Damage, Common Names, Images
- Host plants: all Citrus with a preference for lemon (Citrus limonum), Citrus decumana and to a lesser extent, orange (Citrus aurantium).
- Moth: after emerging, it feeds on sugary substances. It flies at dusk and during the day, resting in host trees. Mating occurs shortly after emergence. A few hours later, the female lays 1 to 3 eggs on a flower bud then moves to another. Total observed fertility: 60 to 150 eggs.
-The young caterpillar enters the flower bud and devours the folded flower parts (*) , then exits by a round lateral hole and enters another bud which it precedes to empty in the same fashion. It spins silken threads which cover the attacked inflorescences. After the first stage of fruit formation, it attacks the young fruit, penetrating it laterally via the receptacle.
Depending on the season, it also attacks tender young shoots and leaves which it joins together to form a web. It also penetrates developed fruits by boring a gallery in the skin.
- 11 generations per annum in Sicily and in the whole Mediterranean area; 1 winter, 3 spring, 4 summer, 3 autumn.
- Complete development of the insect is achieved in less than 30 days in summer months and in 60 days in winter. Also, on account of the large number of generations each year, P. citri is found in all stages of development every month of the year.
- The flower buds attacked by larvae (*) dry up and die. The attacked young fruits, devoured from the inside and soiled by frass, are aborted. More mature fruit is deformed and remains small.
HYPPZ on line : Species (scientific name), Pests (common names), Glossary, Crops.