Talponia batesi (Heinrich) (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Grapholitini)
FWL: 5.0–6.5 mm
Forewings are broadly triangular with a strongly arched costa, a row of black dots along the termen, and a conspicuous notch below the apex. The basal half of the wing is olive green while the apical half is extensively marked with metallic striations. Males lack a forewing costal fold. Hindwings are brown.
Male genitalia are characterized by long, extremely thin, apically setose socii; and valvae with a well-developed cucullus with a strongly constricted neck. Female genitalia are characterized by a basally sclerotized ductus bursae; two large thorn-like signa; and a mesally constricted corpus bursae.
The following account is summarized from Castañeda-Vildózola et al. (1996).
Last instar larvae are approximately 8–10 mm in length with a whitish abdomen. The head is yellowish brown and the prothoracic shield is brown to yellowish brown. No detailed descriptions of larval chaetotaxy have been published, but according to MacKay (1959)MacKay (1959):
MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 10: 1-338., the larvae of Talponia plummeriana are extremely similar (see below).
Only one species of Talponia (T. plummeriana), is recorded from the eastern half of the United States where it feeds on Asimina spp. (pawpaw); there are also unverified records of T. plummeriana from Mexico. The two species are similar in appearance, but T. plummeriana is easily distinguished from T. batesi by the reddish color on the apical half of the forewing. Genitalia of the two species are quite different, and a dissection can be used to confirm identity. An additional 12 species are known from the Neotropics.
Talponia larvae can be distinguished by the large, single, brown pinaculum on A9 where the D1, D2, and SD1 setae are located. Other morphological features include: SV setal counts on A1,2,7,8,9 as 2:2:2:2:1 or 2:2:2:1:1; SD1 on A8 anterodorsal to spiracle; abdominal setae short; anal comb absent.
Talponia batesi has been recorded from the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Larvae are commonly intercepted at United States ports of entry on Annona originating in Guatemala or Mexico.
The following account is summarized from Castañeda-Vildózola et al. (1996)Castañeda-Vildózola et al. (1996):
Castañeda-Vildózola, A., Mejía, H., Pineda, S., López, L., Rubí, M. 1996. Identificación y descripción del barrenador de frutos de chirimoya Annona cherimola Miller en la región de Coatepec Harinas, México, pp. 139-148. In: Memoria Fundación Salvador Sánchez Colín CICTAMEX, S.C. Coatepec Harinas, Estado de México, México. and Peña et al. (2002)Peña et al. (2002):
Peña, J. E., Nadel, H., Barbosa-Pereira, M., Smith, D. 2002. Pollinators and pests of Annona species, pp. 197-222. In: Peña, J. E., Sharp, J. L., Wysoky, N. (eds.) Tropical Fruit Pest. Biology, Economic Importance, Natural Enemies and Control. CAB International, London, UK. .
Females lay eggs on the flowers and fruits of Annona. Larvae bore into the fruit and feed inside until mature. Pupation occurs in leaves outside of the fruit. The number of generations per year is unknown although it is assumed that larval development is synchronized with fruit development.
This species is a serious pest of Annona, and in Mexico crop losses on cherimoya (Annona cherimola) range from 45–100% if larvae are not controlled. Talponia batesi is commonly intercepted at United States ports of entry on Annona originating from the Caribbean, Mexico, or Central America.
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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