A challenging pest of decorative crops , Duponchelia fovealis ( European Pepper Moth ) can chop-chop breed with potentially devastating results . prefer to hide in dense crop , the caterpillars are hard to control with chemical sprays . However , a biologic control strategy involving a beneficial nematode worm and two predators is rise effective .
in the beginning from South - East Europe , Duponchelia has become a far-flung pest in greenhouse - grown crops in Western Europe and North America . The caterpillars are show particularly prejudicial in Kalanchoe , Begonia , and Cyclamen .
Scouting – where to look“Drawn to high humidity , the cat are often seen feeding on the plant foundation , the base neck opening , and leaves , or find boring into the flora bow , ” explains Pascal Briand , IPM & Pollination Specialist at Biobest . “ In dope plant , they can fertilize on the source causing droop and , by generating wounds , these caterpillars increase the disease pressure in the crop . ”
Tiny eggsHardly seeable to the nude eye , the tiny Duponchelia testis are just 0.5 millimeter long . A single female moth can lay up to 200 around leaf base or near the nervure at the stem of the stalking .
Well - hidden caterpillarsThe shining cream - colour caterpillar , with a dark head and brownish spots on their bodies , hatch around eight days later and grow to a length of 2 - 3 cm . Difficult to scout , they tend to remain well concealed .
Substrate hiding pupaeFour weeks by and by , the full grow caterpillars pupate inside cocoons cover under substratum speck .
Highly nomadic mothsWithin a further 1 - 2 workweek , the grownup moths appear . With cream - strip curved abdomens , they have distinctive dark-brown marbleized wing spanning 9 - 12 mm . Highly wandering , these moths can propagate quickly and easily in the craw .
Control strategyCareful harvest monitoring is commend using delta traps - or a jaundiced sand trap placed horizontally in the harvest - together with the appropriate pheromone .
Effective biologic control strategy center on three products direct the egg and/or larval stages .
“ To verify the caterpillars in the substrate , we recommend introducing Carpocapsae - System , ” says Pascal . “ Containing the good nematode Steinernema carpocapsae , it ’s applied to the substrate or plant collar at the base of the theme .
“ To target the moth egg and new larvae , we advise releasing two soil - inhabit predators .
“ Hypoaspis - System stop the soil - harp predatory hint Hypoaspis nautical mile . This full-bodied jot inhabit the top layer of substratum and is capable of surviving for several weeks in the absence of prey .
“ Atheta - System control the predatory rove mallet Atheta coriaria . Highly mobile , it actively searches for moth eggs and larvae in the substrate . ”
For more information : Biobest Group NVT : +32 14 25 79 80[email protected]www.biobestgroup.com
