Maroga melanostigma

Maroga melanostigma (Wallengren, 1861)
Pecan Stem Girdler
(one synonym : Cryptophasa gigantella)
XYLORYCTIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 27 September 2011)

(Photo: courtesy of Mark Hartley, Sydney)

This Caterpillar is pale brown with sparse hairs, and has a dark brown head. It bores into the bark of trees, covering the holes with dark brown silk and frass.

(Photo: courtesy of Mark Hartley, Sydney)

It is an agricultural pest on crops in the ROSACEAE family such as :

Apple ( Malus pumila ),

Apricot ( Prunus armeniaca ),

Cherry ( Prunus avium ),

Peach ( Prunus persica ),

Raspberries ( Rubus idaeus ),

and is also known to attack plants from other families such as :

Senna ( Cassia species, CAESALPINIACEAE ),

Sweet Wisteria ( Wisteria sinensis, FABACEAE ),

Pecan ( Carya illinoensis, JUGLANDACEAE ),

Wattles ( Acacia species, MIMOSACEAE ),

Common Fig ( Ficus carica, MORACEAE ),

Orange, Lemon, etc. ( Citrus species, RUTACEAE ),

Lantana ( Lantana camara, VERBENACEAE ), and

Grape Vine ( Vitis vinifera, VITACEAE ).

The adult moth has satin white fore wings, each with a black dot near the centre. The hind wings are grey, and the body is black with yellow bands and a yellow tip. Also the upper part of each leg is covered in orange hairs. The moths have a wing span of about 4 cms.

display mode

The moths have a peculiar display when threatened: they lie down on their backs or sides, extending the wings upwards, and curl the abdomen over displaying the yellow tip.

(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

Specimens have been taken in taken in

Tasmania, and

Attempts are being made to control the pest using:

Trichogramma wasps [Seymour J].