First report of Adoxophyes orana in northwestern Turkey: population fluctuation and damage on different host plants

Abstract

IntroductionThe summer fruit tortrix moth, Adoxophyes orana (Fischer von Röslerstamm, 1834) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a polyphagous pest of pome and stone fruits in most of Europe and Asia. A. orana larvae have a strong preference for apples and pears in central and northern Europe (Barel, 1973;Charmillot and Brunner, 1990;Stamenkovic et al., 1999). However, they seem to change their preference to peaches and sweet cherries in southern Europe, where larval damage was more common in stone fruits (Savopoulou-Soultani et al., 1985).A. orana can be considered the most damaging leaf roller species in Europe due to its wide range of host plants and high abundance during the summer (Kocourek and Stara, 2005). Since its introduction, it has established itself as a serious pest of apples in England and peaches in Greece (Savopoulou-Soultani et al., 1985;Cross, 1996).The larvae may cause both direct and indirect damage by actively feeding on leaves, buds, flowers, shoots, and fruit. Indirect damage occurs when the larva feeds on young shoots and leaves that are stuck together. Leaf and shoot damage usually has no economic impact unless leaf roller populations reach high density and completely defoliate host trees (Dickler, 1991). In contrast, larval feeding directly on fruit, especially in June and July, may result in crop losses varying from 10% to 82% in apples, peaches, and pears (de Jong et al., 1971;Whittle 1985;Stamenkovic and Pesic, 1998). Economic damage can exceed $1,000,000, as reported in 33,000 ha of apples in the Netherlands in the late 1980s (de Jong et al., 1971;Whittle, 1985).Fruit damage usually occurs in the spots where leaves are attached to fruit with a silken web of larvae. Larvae can also cause cosmetic damage to apple, peach, and pear fruits. Damaged fruits show a "gnawed" or misshapen appearance due to malformed skin. External damage may also present an opportunity for pathogens to infect, which further damages internal quality and/or reduces the shelf life of fruits (de Jong and Van Dieren, 1974;Whittle, 1985).The summer fruit tortrix moth may produce 2-3 generations per year, depending on climatic factors, host plant availability, and presence of natural enemies

Using degree-day and nonlinear regression models to predict seasonal flights of Adoxophyes orana (F.V.R.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in plum orchards

“…The second moth flight started at the end of June or at the beginning of July (1003-1027 DD) while the third moth flight began in early August (1600-1690 DD). Moth flights lasted for an average of 2305 DD until late September in Turkey (Pehlevan & Kovancı, 2014). However, it is not known if A. orana populations in plum orchards have similar flight patterns to those in apple and peach orchards.…”

“…Previously the only known hosts of this introduced pest in Turkey were apple, pear, peach and sweet cherry (Pehlevan & Kovancı, 2014). Adoxophyes orana larvae have been recorded to feed on pome fruit such as pear and apple in Europe (Stamenkovic et al, 1999), whereas stone fruit like peach and sweet cherry were more heavily attacked in southern Europe (Savopoulou-Soultani et al, 1985).…”

“…Since then, it has become a key pest of pears and peaches in the Marmara Region. In addition, A. orana larvae have been observed to feed on leaves of sweet cherry and apple in Turkey (Pehlevan & Kovancı, 2014).…”

“…However, no specific information is available on the number of A. orana generations produced annually on plum grown in the field. Pehlevan & Kovancı (2014) reported that emergence time and flight period of A. orana adults were different between host plants. The first moth flight was caught in apple and peach orchards in early or mid-May, coinciding with an average cumulative degree-days (DD) of 350-356 DD in Turkey.…”

“…Therefore, A. orana has a low damage threshold, and it should be monitored with pheromone traps (Kocourek & Stara, 2005). The summer fruit tortrix moth may have two to three generations per year in peach and apple orchards of Turkey (Pehlevan & Kovancı, 2014), whereas it has three generations in peach orchards of Greece and two generations in apple orchards in Europe (Milonas & Savopoulou-Soultani, 2006). Under laboratory conditions, the mean generation time of A. orana was found to be the longest on plum (35.7 d) compared with apple, peach and apricot (Lina et al, 2015).…”