The biology, ecology and economic importance of the pink scavenger caterpillar Pyroderces rileyi (Lepidoptera: Cosmopterigidae) on banana in Jamaica

Abstract

The pink scavenger caterpillar Pyroderces rileyi Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Cosmopterigidae) is a recent pest of bananas in Jamaica. The larval faecal pellets result in scarring of the banana fruit. The pest occurs on several crops, including cotton, sorghum and maize, across the world. Its biology in Jamaica, food plant preferences and impact of the recommended control method are examined. Adult trapping methods are investigated. Development from egg to adult took an average of approximately 37 days. The number of larvae increases with the age of the bunch, probably due to decreased amounts of latex as the bunch matures. Adult male moths were caught using traps baited with (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate as a pheromone lure. Pheromone lures based on a related species, P. simplex Walsingham, were tested but a second minor (< 10%) component, (E)-11-tetradecen-1-ol, present in P. simplex did not appreciably enhance the attractancy of the acetate component. Deflowering was effective as a control measure, significantly reducing adult numbers as well as the level of scarring. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd