Epiphyas postvittana
Abbreviation: LBAM
Light brown apple moth is present in: Australia, New Caledonia, the British Isles, Hawaii (since 1896), Netherlands, and New Zealand. Other populations exist in the United Kingdom, Italy, and India.
Light brown apple moth is a pest of the following plants: more than 2,000 species of plants and trees and 250 agricultural crops, and it could expand its preferences as it is exposed to new plants and crops.
Light brown apple moth feeds on nearly all types of fruit crops, ornamentals, vegetables, glasshouse crops, and occasionally young pine seedlings.
Some of the plants and crops LBAM damages include:
Evidence of light brown apple moth damage includes: damage to foliage and fruit. Larvae disperse and construct silken shelters on the underside of leaves, usually near a midrib or large vein. Older larvae roll together leaves and buds or fruit with webbing. Damage to fruit occurs as surface feeding by the larvae. Larvae will occasionally enter the fruit to feed.
Adults: actual size 6–13 mm, coloration contrast varies
Mature larval stage: actual size 10–20 mm
Early larval stage: actual size 1.6–10 mm
CBP Agriculture Specialists, please refer to manuals for general inspection guidelines. When performing inspections, look for the following:
Visible adult moths are approximately 1/3 to 2/5 inches long, just over half the size of a dime. Although adult coloring is variable, the moths are generally a pale yellowish-brown with darker brown markings on their forewings.
Visible caterpillars are green and just over half an inch long. Light brown apple moth caterpillars are often confused with other species, and testing is needed to confirm if a caterpillar is the light brown apple moth. The caterpillars create a protective covering by webbing new leaves together and feeding within this protected area.
Eggs are pale white and deposited slightly overlapping each other in groups of 20–50.
In addition to the commodities above, cut flowers also present a potential pathway. Refer to the MAC for general inspection guidelines and procedures. If an Agriculture Specialist has a concern regarding this pest, they should contact their first line supervisor for communication to CBP headquarters.
