Ecdytolopha fabivora (Meyrick) (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Grapholitini)
Synonyms: leguminis (Laspeyresia), prosecta (Eulia)
FWL: 7.0–11.0 mm
Adults are grayish brown with indistinct black, brown, and gray markings. Many individuals have a black patch near the apex of the forewing that may extend to the termen. The apex itself is often cream or white. Males lack a forewing costal fold. The hindwings are brown.
Male genitalia are characterized by the absence of an uncus, a weakly developed tegumen, a triangular cucullus with a row of dense spines, and a thin, curved phallus. Female genitalia are characterized by a ductus bursae that is partially sclerotized and two horn-like signa.
The following account is summarized from Stansly and Sanchez (1990)Stansly and Sanchez (1990):
Stansly, P. A., Sanchez, W. 1990. Biology and oviposition behavior of Ecdytolopha fabivora (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in soybean on Ecuador#39;s coastal plain. The Florida Entomologist. 73: 219-225. and San Martín-Romero et al. (2020)San Martín-Romero et al. (2020):
San Martín-Romero, E., Martinez-Rosas, R., Espinosa-Mendoza, M., Landa-Cadena, G., Morales-Báez, M., Salinas-Castro, A. 2020. Complejo de perforadores: Ecdytolopha fabivora (Meyrick), Cydia deshaisiana (Lucas) y Cydia pomonella (L.) en cultivo de frijol criollo (Phaseolus lunatus L.) y canavalia (Canavalia ensiformis L.) en Mexico. Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina. 79(1): 13-20 [in Spanish]..
Mature larva 15–20 mm in length; head, prothoracic shield, and legs brown; body pale yellowish white; pinacula large, brown, conspicuous; anal fork absent; SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 numbering 3:3:3:2:1.
Detailed figures of larval chaetotaxy are available in San Martín-Romero et al. (2020).
Adults appear similar to other Grapholitini, including Cydia torostoma, which feeds on beans in Central America (Clarke 1972Clarke 1972:
Clarke, J. F. G. 1972. Two pests of beans from tropical America (Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 74: 467-471.). A genitalic dissection may be necessary to confirm identity.
Larvae are similar to many species in the Cryptophlebia-Ecdytolopha group, with an enlarged L-pinaculum on the prothorax that extends beneath (and usually beyond) the spiracle.
Larval damage to beans is similar to that caused by Crocidosema aporema; however, larvae of C. aporema feed primarily on young leaflets while those of E. fabivora feed in the stems and pods. An anal comb is present in C. aporema but is absent in E. fabivora.
Other bean-feeding tortricids in South and Central America include Amorbia spp., Cydia torostoma, Lusterala phaseolana, and Platynota spp.
Ecdytolopha fabivora is widely distributed in Central and South America.
The following account is summarized from Stansly and Sanchez (1990)Stansly and Sanchez (1990):
Stansly, P. A., Sanchez, W. 1990. Biology and oviposition behavior of Ecdytolopha fabivora (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in soybean on Ecuador's coastal plain. The Florida Entomologist. 73: 219–225. and San Martín-Romero et al. (2020)San Martín-Romero et al. (2020):
San Martín-Romero, E., Martinez-Rosas, R., Espinosa-Mendoza, M., Landa-Cadena, G., Morales-Báez, M., Salinas-Castro, A. 2020. Complejo de perforadores: Ecdytolopha fabivora (Meyrick), Cydia deshaisiana (Lucas) y Cydia pomonella (L.) en cultivo de frijol criollo (Phaseolus lunatus L.) y canavalia (Canavalia ensiformis L.) en Mexico. Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina. 79(1): 13T. W. 20 [In Spanish]..
Ecdytolopha fabivora completes several generations per year. In areas where host plants are available year-round, adults may be present at any time. Females lay eggs on the leaves, petioles, stems, flowers, and pods of soybean (Glycine max); oviposition behavior varies with plant age. Larvae tunnel into the petioles, stems, or pods, sometimes causing considerable damage. Larvae may also feed on terminals and flowers. Pupation occurs in cocoons at the larval feeding site.
Larval damage is characterized by stunted plants, pod loss, or complete plant death in the case of tunneling in the main stem.
Ecdytolopha fabivora is a pest of beans (lima beans, string beans, soybeans) in Central and South America.
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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