Maroga melanostigma

Maroga melanostigma (Wallengren, 1861)
Pecan Stem Girdler
(one synonym : Cryptophasa gigantella)
XYLORYCTINAE, OECOPHORIDAE

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

(updated 8 August 2004)

(Photo: courtesy of the South Australian Research and Development Institute)

This Caterpillar is pale brown with sparse hairs, and has a dark brown head. It bores into the bark of trees, covering the holes with dark brown silk and frass. It is an international agricultural pest on crops in the ROSACEAE family such as :

Apple ( Malus pumila, ROSACEAE ),

Apricot ( Prunus armeniaca, ROSACEAE ),

Cherry ( Prunus avium, ROSACEAE ),

Peach ( Prunus persica, ROSACEAE ),

Raspberries ( Rubus idaeus, ROSACEAE ),

and is also known to attack plants from other families such as :

Senna ( Cassia species, CAESALPINIACEAE ),

Sweet Wisteria ( Wisteria sinensis, FABACEAE ),

Pecan ( Carya illinoensis, JUGLANDACEAE ),

Wattles ( Acacia species, MIMOSACEAE ),

Common Fig ( Ficus carica, MORACEAE ),

Orange, Lemon, etc. ( Citrus species, RUTACEAE ),

Lantana ( Lantana camara, VERBENACEAE ), and

Grape Vine ( Vitis vinifera, VITACEAE ).

The adult moth has satin white fore wings, each with a black dot near the centre. The hind wings are grey, and the body is black with yellow bands and a yellow tip. Also the upper part of each leg is covered in orange hairs. The moths have a wing span of about 4 cms.

display mode

The moths have a peculiar display when threatened: they lie down on their backs or sides, extending the wings upwards, and curl the abdomen over displaying the yellow tip.

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

This specimen was taken in Sydney.