Epichoristodes acerbella

Status

EXOTIC

PORT INTERCEPT

Taxonomy

Epichoristodes acerbella (Walker) (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Archipini)

Common names: South African carnation tortrix, carnation worm, pear leafroller

Synonyms: galeata (Epichorista), iocoma (Tortrix), ionephela (Proselena)

Adult Recognition

FWL: 6.5–10.0 mm

Adults are yellow to reddish brown and generally unmarked. Some individuals may have a darker reddish-brown patch on the dorum near the tornus. Males lack a forewing costal fold.

Male genitalia are characterized by a well-developed, finger-like uncus; a simple transtilla; and broad, membranous valvae. Female genitalia are characterized by a long ductus bursae with a sclerotized portion near the ostium and a bean-shaped corpus bursae with a long, terminally rounded signum without an accompanying capitulum.

Larval Morphology

The following account is summarized from Timm et al. (2008)Timm et al. (2008):
Timm, A. E., Warnich, L., Geertsema, H. 2008. Morphological and molecular identification of economically important Tortricidae (Lepidoptera) on deciduous fruit tree crops in South Africa. African Entomology. 16: 209-219..

Mature larvae are green to yellowish green. The head and prothoracic shield are yellow brown and both may have extensive posterior shading or mottling. An anal comb is present with 6–9 teeth.

Detailed figures of larval chaetotaxy are available in Timm et al. (2008)Timm et al. (2008):
Timm, A. E., Warnich, L., Geertsema, H. 2008. Morphological and molecular identification of economically important Tortricidae (Lepidoptera) on deciduous fruit tree crops in South Africa. African Entomology. 16: 209-219..

Similar Species

Adults may appear similar to other yellow-brown, unmarked archipines such as Clepsis clemensiana and Xenotemna pallorana. The genus Epichoristodes contains 15 described species; E. acerbella is the only species which occurs outside of Africa.

Other carnation greenhouse pests present in Africa and Europe include Cacoecimorpha pronubana. Larvae of C. pronubana have a set of distinctive dark-brown to black markings of the posterolateral corners of the prothoracic shield.

Distribution

A native of South Africa, Epichoristodes acerbella is widely distributed in eastern and southern Africa. It was first reported in Europe (Italy) in the late 1960s, and it has been subsequently introduced to the following countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Spain (Glavendekic 2006Glavendekic 2006:
Glavendekic, M. 2006. Epichoristodes acerbella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): a new species in the fauna of Serbia. Acta Entomologica Serbica. 11: 77-81.).

Biology

The following account is summarized from Van de Vrie (1991)Van de Vrie (1991):
Van de Vrie, M. 1991. Tortricids in ornamental crops in greenhouses, pp. 515-539. In : van der Geest, L. P. S., Evenhuis, H. H. (eds.), Tortricid pests, their biology, natural enemies and control. Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands..

In southern Europe, Epichoristodes acerbella completes four generations per year, with adults present May-September. More generations are possible in a greenhouse environment.

Females lay eggs on leaves in elongate masses of approximately 25 individual eggs. Larvae feed in rolled leaves, in flower buds, and on flower petals. Larvae may also feed on the surface of fruit or tunnel into stems. Pupation occurs in the final larval feeding site.

Larvae of E. acerbella are polyphagous and have been reported feeding on plants in more than a dozen families. This species is recognized as an important pest of carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) and other floricultural crops.

Plant Associations

View full screen host table here