Non-odorous characteristics of lychee (Litchi chinensis) and carambola (Averrhoa carambola) pertaining to fruitpiercing moth susceptibility

Abstract

Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) and carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) fruit, either attacked by fruitpiercing moths or undamaged, were compared on a number of occasions for weight, moisture percentage, softness, colour, �Brix, and pH, to profile fruit susceptibility in North Queensland. Height at which fruit were damaged on a tree and the tree's position in an orchard were also considered. On average 88.8% of moths inflicting damage to all fruit were Othreis fullonia (Clerck). In both crops, fruit in outer rows were more prone to attack than elsewhere in an orchard, indicating that orchard layout, trap crops, and attractive baits could all be considered to counteract these pests. No other characteristic differed significantly (P>0.05) between damaged and adjacent undamaged lychees. In damaged lychees, �Brix ranged from 11.0 to 22.8 and pH varied from 3.3 to 4.8. Highly significant (P<0.001) differences in fruit weight, colour, �Brix, and pH were recorded between damaged and undamaged carambolas; riper fruit were attacked on any individual occasion. Total soluble solids ranged from 5.2 to 11.8 �Brix in damaged carambolas and pH varied from 2.5 to 4.4. Some comparisons between cultivars were undertaken in each crop.

Fruit maturity and soundness relevant to feeding choice by fruit-piercing moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in citrus crops in northeast Australia

“…Fay and Halfpapp (1993) reported 95.1% and 81.4% of moths observed in lychees and carambolas, Figure 4. Changes in the numbers of each moth species observed over time for the six crops monitored between 2003 and 2004.…”

“…However, peel colour is regarded as a reliable indicator of fruit maturity in most citrus varieties and offers the easiest means to judge ripeness in the field without destructive sampling (Liu et al 2001;Ying et al 2004). Fay and Halfpapp (1993) found that colour, Brix and acidity were all highly significant factors affecting the selection of carambola fruit by fruit-piercing moths. Riper fruit were usually attacked when the moths were given a choice.…”

The Common Fruit-Piercing Moth in the Pacific Region: A Survey of the Current State of a Significant Worldwide Economic Pest, Eudocima phalonia (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), with a Focus on New Caledonia

“…E. phalonia is the most widespread species of Eudocima , found throughout the Pacific Region [ 16 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ], in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand [ 8 ], Southeast China [ 32 , 33 ], India [ 9 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ] and in several regions of Africa [ 7 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ] ( Figure 1 ). Its presence in Mongolia is considered suspect, because the climate is too different from other areas where E. phalonia has established some permanent populations [ 43 ].…”

“…High abundance of Eudocima phalonia populations is problematic for many fruit crops [ 7 , 27 , 28 , 32 , 37 , 39 , 54 ]. Nearly 100 fruit species (both cultivated and wild ones) are a potential source of food for this species [ 43 ].…”

“…In the Pacific Region, even if several taxa of the Menispermaceae are present ( Stephania japonica , mainly, S. hernandiaefolia , Tinospora homosepala , Pachygone ledermannii , P. vitiensis , Hypserpa ponapensis , Cocculus ferrandianus ), they are not strongly represented in the flora. Although the moth has preferential larval host plants, it is completely able to develop on secondary ones [ 27 , 28 ]. A remarkable fact is that, in the Pacific Region, Eudocima phalonia has expanded its range of larval host plants in Guam, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Tonga, Hawai’i, French Polynesia, Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji and Cook Islands, as it develops there on plants of the genus Erythrina (Fabaceae) [ 16 , 18 , 20 , 24 , 26 , 55 , 57 , 81 , 83 , 90 , 92 , 94 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 ].…”