Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller, 1839)
(one synonym :
Myelois oporedestella Dyar, 1911)
Carob Moth
PHYCITINI , PHYCITINAE ,
PYRALIDAE
Don Herbison-Evans (
donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley
(updated 11 September 2008)
Caterpillar and its damage to a Pomegranate
(Photo: courtesy of Dr. Sean Moore, Citrus Research International,
Port Elizabeth, South Africa)
These caterpillars are a translucent white colour,
with the internal organs visible from the outside.
The caterpillars are a considerable
agricultural pest on:
Pomegranates ( Punica granatum ,
PUNICACEAE ),
Citrus fruit of various types: e.g. Lemon, Orange (
RUTACEAE ),
Pistachio Nuts ( Pistacia vera,
ANACARDIACEAE ),
Walnuts ( Juglans regia,
JUGLANACEAE ),
Almonds ( Prunus dulcis,
ROSACEAE ),
Macadamia Nuts ( Macadamia integrifolia,
PROTEACEAE ),
Dates ( Phoenix dactylifera,
ARECACEAE ), and of course
Carob pods ( Ceratonia siliqua,
FABACEAE ).
The
adult moths have forewings with a pale brown pattern, and plain white hindwings.
The female moths find suitable fruit or nuts on which to lay their eggs
using
volatile substances emitted by fungus which is infecting the material.
The species is found world-wide, for example:
Cyprus,
Jamaica,
Tunisia,
USA, and
Australia (being introduced by unfortunate accident).
Various compounds have been identified for:
stimulating upwind flight,
oviposition, as well as
sex attraction.
Control is being attempted using :
pheromones for
mating disruption,
a wasp
Trichogramma species (
TRICHOGRAMMATIDAE ),
the wasp
Habrobracon hebetor (
BRACONIDAE ),
the wasp
Phanerotoma flavitestacea (
BRACONIDAE ), and
the wasp
Bracon lactus (
BRACONIDAE ), and
the wasp
Pristomerus vulnerator (
ICHNEUMONIDAE ).
