Family Cosmopterigidae

RECOGNITION

Distinguishing characters. This larva can be distinguished from the pink bollworm by the following features. In later instars, when the larva is pink, the pink areas are arranged in two bands, one each on the anterior and posterior margins of each segment, rather than present as a single band in the middle of the segment. The anterior puncture is behind anterior seta 2. The adfrontal puncture is closer to seta 1 than seta 2. There are no light patches on the prothoracic shield (dorsal sclerite) like there are on the pink bollworm. Seta 3 of abdominal segment 8 is directly in front of the spiracle, not above it. The paired dorsal setae 2 on abdominal segment 9 are closer together than paired dorsal setae 1 on abdominal segment 8. The crochets of the prolegs form a complete, unbroken circle.

ECOLOGY

Feeding habits. As a scavenger, P. rileyi can feed on many different plants.  It has caused major problems in citrus and banana crops.  It can occasionally be found in cotton bolls when they have been damaged by other insects, allowing this moth larva to get into the bolls to feed on damaged and rotting parts. However, it has been known to feed on undamaged oranges when there is a large enough infestation, indicating that it may be able to cause damage to its host if there is not already a damaged or rotting area.