False Codling Moth

Taxonomy

Thaumatotibia leucotreta

Abbreviation: FCM

Distribution

False codling moth is present in: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Democratic Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Israel, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Réunion, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Affected Commodities

False codling moth is a pest of the following plants: stone fruit (Prunus spp., Prunus armeniaca, Prunus domestica, and Prunus persica), avocado (Persea americana), carambola (Averrhoa carambola), castor bean (Ricinus communis), Chinese lantern (Abutilon × hybridum), citrus (Citrus spp.), coffee (Coffea arabica), corn (Zea mays), cotton (Gossypium spp.), flowering maple (Abutilon hybridum), guava (Psidium guajava), litchi (Litchi chinensis), macadamia (Macadamia spp.), mango (Mangifera indica), oak acorns (Quercus spp.), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), olive (Olea spp.), peppers (Capsicum spp.), pineapple (Ananas comosus), pomegranate (Punica granatum), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and tea (Camellia sinensis).

Commodity Damage

Evidence of false codling moth damage includes: lesions on fruit tissue that diminish the marketability of fruit. Exit holes are approximately 1 millimeter in diameter, which can cause secondary infections and reduce fruit yields.

Because false codling moth is an internal feeder, symptoms may be difficult to detect. Brown spots on fruit and dark brown frass (residue or excrement from the larvae) are visible signs of an infestation.

Port Inspections

CBP Agriculture Specialists, please refer to manuals for general inspection guidelines. When performing inspections, look for signs of internal feeders and pest damage such as frass and flesh damage on products presented for entry. Submit pests according to established procedures. Refer to the import manuals for further guidance.

• Visible caterpillars: whitish and spotted, while mature ones are pinkish and 0.6 (or 3/5) inches in length
• Visible adult moths: small, brownish-gray, nocturnal moths with an average wingspan of 0.6 (or 3/5) inches
• Visible eggs on fruit and vegetables: whitish, flat, and oval

Source of entry:

• Fresh produce
• Nursery stock
• Biodegradable waste from plants and plant products
• Conveyances such as trucks, railcars and vessel

For additional information:

• USDA false codling moth program
• IDtools false codling moth fact sheet