Eudocima fullonia, commonly called fruit sucking moth, is an insect which pierces and punctures the ripened fruit.
Other host plant– Citrus, Mango, Grapes and Apple
How does it damage the plant?
- The adult does damage to the plant by piercing the fruits for sucking the juice and makes characteristic pin-hole damage in fruit.
- The damage would expose for secondary infection by Bacteria and fungus.
- The moth is active during the night time only and in the day time they hide on the leaves and weed. The fruit becomes yellow, rot and falls prematurely.
Symptoms-
- Attacked fruit drops prematurely.
- It rots due to fungal and bacterial infections introduced through punctures causing considerable fruit losses.
Prevailing season– They are mostly active during the rainy season.
Management-
| Mechanical & Cultural Practices | Chemical Control |
| Cleanliness on the orchard by timely weeding and cleaning will damage their breeding sites.The fallen and decayed fruits should be burned and disposed properlyBagging of the fruits will act as barrier for moth attack.Creating smoke by burning dry grasses and leaves which can repel and drive away the pest.Apply smoke to prevent moth attack. | Spraying the fruits with Neem Seed Kernel Extraction @ 3-5 ml per liter of waterFlubendiamide 20 WG @ 1g per liter of water also gives satisfactory control.Fruit sucking moth can be effectively controlled by poison baiting with 20 ml Malathion mixed with 200g jaggery in 2 liters of water. This mixture is filled in plastic tub and 60-watt bulb is fixed over it to attract moth during night time. Moths will be attracted towards light trap. |
Source-
Book – – High density cultivation of Nagpur Mandarin by ICAR – CCRI, (IARI)
