Conogethes punctiferalis

Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenee, 1854)
(one synonym : Astura guttatalis)
Yellow Peach Moth
SPILOMELINI , PYRAUSTINAE , CRAMBIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 13 September 2007)

larva

This Caterpillar is buff coloured, and final instar has brown marks on each segment. Its habit of feeding on fruit and other crops makes it an agricultural pest. The specimen pictured above was found in an ear of

Maize ( Zea mays, POACEAE).

Other foodplants reported are:

Livistona Palm ( Livistona humilis, ARECACEAE ),

Sunflowers ( Helianthus annuus, ASTERACEAE ),

Durian ( Durio zibethinus, BOMBACACEAE ),

Paw paw ( Carica papaya, CARICACEAE ),

Castor Oil Plant ( Ricinus communis, EUPHORBIACEAE ),

Billy Goat Plum ( Planchonia careya, LECYTHIDACEAE ),

Sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor, POACEAE ),

Macadamia Nuts ( Macadamia integrifolia, PROTEACEAE ),

Peach ( Prunus persica, ROSACEAE ),

Lemon ( Citrus limon, RUTACEAE ),

Rambutan ( Nephelium lappaceum, SAPINDACEAE ),

Eggplant ( Solanum melongena, SOLANACEAE ),

Flame tree ( Brachychiton acerifolium, STERCULIACEAE ), and

Cardamom ( Elettaria cardamomum, ZINGIBERACEAE ).

The Caterpillar lives concealed in its foodplant in a case lined with silk. It grows to a length of about 2 cms.

The adult is yellow, with a dark pattern. The moth has a wingspan of about 3 cms. Its pheromones have been investigated.

(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The species is a pest on fruit trees over much of Asia, for example :

Vietnam, as well as

Control of the pest has been investigated using:

various insecticides, and

the fly Argyrophylax proclinata ( TACHINIDAE ).