Understanding the Fruit-Sucking Moth (Eudocima materna) and Its Impact on Fruit Crops

Introduction

The fruit-sucking moth, Eudocima materna (formerly Othreis materna), commonly known as the dot-underwing moth, is a major pest in tropical and subtropical regions. It poses a significant threat to fruit crops by feeding on their juices, leading to fruit rot and economic losses.

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Appearance

• Adult moths have pale greenish-gray upper wings with white markings.
• Lower wings feature a marginal dark brown region with white spots and a central dark circular spot.
• Larvae are dark brown with distinct yellow and red spots.

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Behavior

• Nocturnal feeders that attack fully developed fruits.
• Use their proboscis to pierce through the fruit epicarp and suck the juice.
• Damaged fruits rot and drop prematurely, leading to severe losses.

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Habitat & Distribution

• Found in tropical Asia, New Guinea, Australia, and Africa.
• Highly adaptable and thrives in warm, humid conditions.

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Economic Impact

• Causes extensive damage to commercial fruit crops worldwide.
• Infestation peaks between July and January, with highest activity in October.
• Losses range from 21% to 47% in ripe fruits such as pomegranate, citrus, and mango.
• Damage facilitates secondary fungal infections, further reducing fruit quality.

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Host Crops

• Eudocima spp. are polyphagous pests attacking a wide range of fruits, including:
  • Pomegranate
  • Mango
  • Citrus
  • Papaya
  • Guava
  • Grapes
  • Litchi
  • Carambola

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Life Cycle

• Adult moths live for 25-30 days and lay 200-400 eggs on host plant climbers like Tinospora cordifolia and Cocculus hirsutus.
• Egg incubation: 3-10 days.
• Larval stage: Approximately 30 days, feeding on host plants.
• Pupation lasts 13 days, after which adults emerge.

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Seasonal Incidence

• Moth activity is highest during rainy and humid months.
• Caterpillar activity peaks between July and November.
• Parasitoids like Euplectrus maternus are active from July to December, peaking in September.

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Management Strategies

Cultural Control

• Destroy larval host plants (Tinospora cordifolia, Cocculus hirsutus).
• Adjust fruiting season to avoid peak moth activity (August-October).
• Plant fruit crops in square blocks rather than long rows to reduce attack.

Mechanical Control

• Monitor orchards for early infestation signs.
• Use light traps to attract and trap moths.
• Manually collect and destroy adult moths at night.
• Cover fruits with paper or polythene bags for protection.

Biological Control

• Egg parasitoids: Telenomus sp., Ooencyrtus sp., Trichogramma sp.
• Larval parasitoids: Euplectrus indicus, Euplectrus maternus
• Predators: Birds like Indian mynah (Acridotheres tristis) feed on larvae.

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Conclusion

The fruit-sucking moth Eudocima materna is a major pest of fruit crops, causing significant economic losses. Effective management involves a combination of cultural, mechanical, and biological control methods to minimize damage and protect fruit production.

For farmers, early detection and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are crucial to reducing the impact of this destructive pest.

Image Source: Plant Village