First report on Virachola livia Klug. (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) and its effects on different pomegranate varieties in Tunisia

Abstract

Virachola livia Klug 1834 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) was detected for the first time in a cultivated pomegranate orchard in Tunisia in 2006 although it may have been causing damage for several years prior to this. During 2006, 5.2% of the total pomegranate fruit produced in Tunisia was infested by this pest. This invasive species was responsible for 52% of fruit rot at Zerkine locality (Gabès Governorate). Levels of V. livia infection were shown to vary among nine pomegranate varieties; the Klaii, Mezzi and Garoussi varieties were the most susceptible, whereas Gabsi, Jbeli, Andolsi, Tounsi, Zaghweni and Zehri were more tolerant to this lycaenidae. The authors consider that this is due to female preference.

Efficacy ofBacillus thuringiensisand IndigenousTrichogramma turkistanicafor Controlling Lepidopterous Pests on Taify Pomegranate Fruits

“…This finding for control trees approximates that recorded by Elsayed & Bazaid (2011), who indicated that the infestation rate of V. livia at Taif was 5 % at the beginning of the pomegranate fruiting season in 2008 and was higher in August (17.5 %). In Tunisia, Ksentini et al (2011) reported that the damage caused by V. livia in pomegranate ranged between 5.2 and 52 % depending on the pomegranate varieties. This was hypothesized to be due to female preference in choosing to lay its eggs more frequently on certain varieties.…”

“…While the pomegranate butterfly, V. livia is a serious pest of the pomegranate, the pomegranate is a secondary host, and the primary host of V. livia is Acacia nilotica pods (Ksentini et al 2011). This pest has spread from the northeastern part of Africa up to the Arabian Peninsula and Iran (Katbeh-Bader et al 2003).…”

Honeydew Moth Cryptoblabes gnidiella (MILLIÈRE, 1867) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): an adventive species frequently imported with fruit to Poland

“…In certain countries it is considered a serious pest with a serious impact on the home market, for example in Brazil, Uruguay or Egypt (BISOTTO-DE-OLIVEIRA et al 2007, EL-ZEMAITY et al 2009, SELLANES et al 2010. For instance, the percentage of crop infestation or losses in production caused by the Honeydew Moth have reached 2.48% of infected pomegranates in orchards in the coastal area of Tunisia, 2.44% dropped grapefruits in groves in Israel and a 4.6% loss in citrus production in Sardinia (AVIDOV & GOTHILF 1960, KSENTINI et al 2011, ORTU 1982.…”

Insect larvae associated with dropped pomegranate fruits in an organic orchard in Tunisia

“…To our knowledge, this is the first study to deal with the reasons of pomegranate fruit drop due to insect attacks in the centre-East region of Tunisia although Ksentini et al (2011) Fruits with insect larvae Better knowledge of the causes of fruit drop is important for these reasons (1) when establishing new orchard, the choice of varieties is of paramount importance. Determing which of pomegranate varieties are susceptibles, tolerants or resistants to insect attacks especially for the major Lepidoptera species (E. ceratoniae and V. livia) is crucial (Fesharaki et al, 2011) and (2) the insect pests responsible for fruit drop can be controlled efficiently.…”

“…In Tunisia, Dhouibi (2000) reported the yearly damage rate caused by E. ceratoniae on Pomegranate fruits from 1996 to 1999 varied from 29 to 72% reaching 90% in 1983. Recently, increased damages of the pomegranate butterfly, Virachola livia Klug 1834 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), was reported by Ksentini et al (2011) causing fruit rot. These fruit borers may cause loss of an entire crop.…”