common name: European pepper moth or southern European marsh pyralid
scientific name: Duponchelia fovealis (Zeller) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Introduction - Distribution - Description - Life Cycle and Biology - Dispersal - Host Plants - Economic Importance - Damage - Monitoring - Management - Selected References

Introduction

The European pepper moth, Duponchelia fovealis (Zeller), is a native to both freshwater and saltwater marshlands of southern Europe (mainland Spain, parts of France, and Portugal), the eastern Mediterranean region (Greece, Italy, Corsica, Macedonia (the original area that was part of the former Yugoslavia), Malta, Crete, Sardinia and Sicily), the Canary Islands, Syria and Algeria (Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, CABI 2010, Faquaet 2000, McLeod 1996, Guda et al. 1988). In Malta, it is fairly common in gardens in orchards and has been noted to overwinter outdoors, reproducing on wild plants in northern Italy (Anonymous 2005a).

Fairly recently (since 1984), this moth became a notable greenhouse pest in northern Europe and Canada for the cut flower, vegetable and aquatic plant industries (Ahern 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, CABI 2010, Anonymous 2005a, Anonymous 2005b, McLeod 1996). It has also become a pest of lisianthus and strawberries grown commercially in its native Italy (Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Guda et al. 1988). With several detections of this pest having now been made in the United States, researchers are monitoring for it to determine its distribution, whether or not it will become established in the landscape, and to see what damages it might have on our own greenhouse industry as well as to commercial crops grown outdoors or in shade houses.

Distribution

Worldwide. The European pepper moth has expanded its range to include other parts of Africa and the Middle East, northwest India, Europe, Canada and the United States. It was first reported outside of its native range in 1984 when it was found in Finland. It has since been detected in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, other parts of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, the United Kingdom and Canada. It has also been found in Cyprus and Gibraltar (Ahern 2010, Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, CABI 2010, Anonymous 2005a, Anonymous 2005b, Faquaet 2000, McLeod 1996, Billen 1994).

United Sates. In the United States, it was detected on begonia in San Diego County, California, in 2004 (though it was subsequently not detected in 2005). Then in April and July of 2010, the moth was detected again in San Diego County (Ahern 2010, Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, Hoffman 2010). As of September 2011, it has been detected in at least seventeen California counties, along with counties in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington (NAPPO 2010). It is not known yet if this pest has become established in the landscape, or is just in the nursery and containerized vegetable trade. Based on the climate of its native habitat, this pest has a chance of becoming established in states along the west coast (California, Oregon and Washington) as well as the southeastern U.S. (Ahern 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010).

Florida. A Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey Program (CAPS survey) was conducted from September 2010 to May 2011 to determine if European pepper moth was present in Florida. The CAPS survey sampled 26 counties using 88 delta traps baited with the species specific pheromone (Derksen and Whilby 2011, Brambila - personal communication). Adults (only) were detected in traps in the following counties: Alachua, Bradford, Desoto, Duval, Charlotte, Collier, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Nassau, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Orange, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia (Brambila and Stocks 2010, Derksen and Whilby 2011).

Description

Adults: The adults have a wingspan of 19 to 21 mm (0.75 to 0.83 inch). The forewings are gray-brown in color with two yellowish-white transverse lines. The outermost of these lines has a pronounced "finger" that points towards the back edge of the wing. When at rest, the wings are held out from the body forming a triangle. The adult body measures 9 to 12 mm (0.35 to 0.5 inch) in length. The head, antennae and body are olive brown. The abdomen has cream-colored rings encircling it. The legs are pale brown (Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, CABI 2010, Hoffman 2010, Anonymous 2005b, Trematerra 1990, Guda et al. 1988).

adult - showing transverse lines and "finger"

The male's abdomen curves upwards when at rest, at almost 90 degrees from horizontal. Males have a longer, slimmer abdomen compared to females. In fact, the abdomen of the male is unusually long for most moths as it extends beyond the wings (Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, CABI 2010, Hoffman 2010, Anonymous 2005b, Trematerra 1990). The hindwings cannot be seen unless the specimen is spread. When they are, the hindwings of both sexes are pale-olive brown with a cream-colored wavy line crossing the middle of the wing (Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, CABI 2010, Trematerra 1990).

adults - showing rings on abdomen, differences in abdomen length, wavy line on hindwings

adult male - showing upcurved abdomen

In Unknown (2006a) and Pijnakker (2001), it was noted that the adults (presumably both males and females) fly low and fast with their abdomen curved upwards, which gives the species a unique flight pattern. In addition, it has been noted that in heavy infestations, the adults can move in swarms (Unknown 2006a).

Eggs: The eggs measure 0.5 X 0.7 mm (0.02 X 0.03 inch) and are whitish-green or straw-colored when laid. Eggs turn pink, then red as the embryo develops, finally turning brown prior to hatching. They are laid singly or in masses of three to 10 (overlapping like roof tiles) mostly on the undersides of leaves (close to the veins) though they can also be found on the upper surface of the leaf, on the stalks, at the base of the plant, or in the upper soil layer (Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, CABI 2010, Hoffman 2010, Anonymous 2005a, Anonymous 2005b, Billen 1994, Trematerra 1990, Guda et al. 1988).

egg

egg mass

egg mass

Females have also been documented laying eggs on furnishings within the greenhouse (Jackel et al. 1996). In addition, eggs being laid on the fruit have been recorded (Lance Osborne - personal communication).

Larvae: Upon hatching, the larvae measure 1.5 mm (0.06 inch) in length and have a shiny dark head and a salmon pink body with a line of separated brown to gray spots extending across and around each segment. On some segments, there are two transverse rows of these spots. If you look at these spots with a hand lens, you will see at least one short, stout hair emerging from each of them. There is also a hard dorsal plate (or sclerotized region) located on the segment just behind the head. This plate is the same color as the head capsule (Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, CABI 2010, Hoffman 2010, Trematerra 1990, Guda et al. 1988).

larva

larva - showing hard dorsal plate and hair in brown spot

As the larvae grow, their background color changes to a creamy white or light brown or dirty white color (CABI 2010, Trematerra 1990). The color apparently varies depending on the host plant (CABI 2010, Guda et al. 1988). In some cases, the background color of the larvae can even be quite dark (due to recent feeding activity) making the spots hard to see. Prior to pupation, they can reach 17 to 30 mm (0.7 to 1.25 inch) long and become pearly in appearance. They also seem to loose their spots just before pupation. (Anonymous 2005b, Trematerra 1990).

larva with dark coloring

Marek and Bártová (1998) state that the larvae are photophobic (having an intolerance of light) and when they are exposed to light, they move back and forth vigorously. It has also been noted that when feeding on the aquatic hosts, they do not seem to mind the leaves being submerged in water (CABI 2010, Billen 1994).

Pupae: The pupae undergo pupation in a cocoon made of webbing, frass and soil particles. The cocoon measures 15 to 19 mm (0.6 to 0.75 inch). The pupa itself is yellow brown in color (becoming darker as the adult gets closer to emergence) and measures 9 to 12 mm long (0.35 to 0.5 inch) (Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, CABI 2010, Hoffman 2010, Anonymous 2005b, Trematerra 1990, Guda et al. 1988).

pupa in cocoon

Life Cycle and Biology

The length of development for this pest varies according to temperature. In a greenhouse setting (at 68°F or 20°C), the development time is four to nine days for the eggs; three to four weeks for the larvae; one to two weeks for pupation; and one to two weeks for adults (six to eight weeks in total). The adults quickly mate with females laying eggs within 24 hours of emergence. The females are capable of laying 200 eggs during her lifetime. In a greenhouse setting, eight to nine generations per year have been recorded (Ahern 2010, Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, CABI 2010, Hoffman 2010, Unknown 2006a, Anonymous 2005a, Anonymous 2005b, Jackel et al. 1996, Pijnakker 2001, Romeijn 1996). In the warm climates of California and the southeastern United States, the potential for multiple brood production and a shortened life cycle is quite high (Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010).

This pest does not seem to be cold tolerant and the literature suggests that this insect does not undergo hibernation or diapause. In northern climates, it is mainly a pest of greenhouses (though it may be found outside during warm summer months, dying off when it becomes cold) (Ahern 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, CABI 2010, Hoffman 2010, Anonymous 2005a, Anonymous 2005b, Faquaet 2000). Based on these observations, in warmer, humid climates, it may be possible to find the species outside in the landscape for longer times. It is worth noting that the lack of observations of hibernation or diapause may only apply to greenhouses that are in continuous operation and for areas such as the Canary Islands where it has been noted that they produce broods continuously due to a fairly constant climate year round.

However, one paper notes that the moth can overwinter in the pupal stage (Unknown 2006a). The ability of the European pepper moth to overwinter in the pupal stage corresponds with notations describing the presence of adults in parts of its native range from April to May and from August to October producing at least 2 broods a year (Ahern 2010, CABI 2010, Anonymous 2005b, Faquaet 2000, Marek and Bártová 1998, Guda et al. 1988). The observation that it could hibernate in a pupal stage in areas with less extreme winter temperatures could have a large affect on the level of pest this species could become in the United States.

Dispersal

Adults are good fliers (upwards of 100 km or 62 miles), but they can also be dispersed through propagative and non-propagative material such as fruit, herbs, fresh vegetable products and cut flowers, due to the fact that they can bore into stems and fruit and are well hidden among the soil and leaves as well as between the container sides and the soil (CABI 2010, Derksen and Whilby 2010, Hoffman 2010, Anonymous 2005a, Anonymous 2005b, Stocks and colleagues - personal observation). In one paper, a reference indicates that the European pepper moth has been dispersed on mother-in-laws tongue, Sansevieria, and croton, Codiaeum variegatum, through the commercial shipping of these plants though there is nothing in the literature indicating that these plants are actually hosts (Unknown 2006b).

Host Plants

The European pepper moth has been listed as a pest on at least 35 species of plants ranging from aquatic plants to crop plants to plants grown in the nursery and floriculture trade. They are:

Additionally, damage notes in the literature include the following genera:

The European pepper moth also attacks certain aquatic plants such as Aponogeton and Cryptocoryne (Ahern 2010, Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, CABI 2010, Hoffman 2010, DeVenter 2009, Unknown 2006a, Anonymous 2005a, Zimmermann 2004, Clark 2000, Marek and Bártová 1998, MacLeod 1996, Romeijn 1996, Billen 1994, Guda et al. 1988).

In fact, the European pepper moth's natural habitat is freshwater and saltwater marshlands, so ornamental aquatic plants (especially if grown in a greenhouse setting) are particularly susceptible. As European pepper moth is mainly a threat to cultivated crops, it does not seem to represent much of a threat to biodiversity in natural ecosystems; however, it is prudent to remember that not much is known about its ecology in its native habitat (including what plants its feeds on in the marshlands). Therefore, there is potential for it being an environmental threat (Ahern 2010).

Economic Importance

Virtually all of the plants listed above either are or can be grown in Florida, many of them commercially and most of them can be maintained in a homeowner's yard. Florida's crop plants that are probably the most at risk from this pest include: (US$ sales for 2009 - data obtained from USDA-ERS).

Damage

The European pepper moth inflicts damage to roots, leaves, flowers, buds and fruit on which it feeds as larvae (Ahern 2010, Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, Anonymous 2005a, Anonymous 2005b, Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, CABI 2010, Hoffman 2010, Murphy 2005, Messelink and Van Wensveen 2003, Pijnakker 2001). In leaves, this feeding damage appears first as rounded or crescent-shaped bites on the outside of the leaves, but eventually the whole leaf is eaten (Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Marek and Bártová 1998, Romeijn 1996, Guda et al. 1988). The leaves that are attacked are usually at the base of the plant but leaves higher in the canopy can also be attacked if the plants are placed very close together (Ahern 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, CABI 2010, Messelink and Van Wensveen 2003).

damage to strawberry leaves

damage to fruit

Late instar larvae can even burrow into soft woody or herbaceous plant stems causing more damage (i.e. withered or dried crowns and stem collapse) (Ahern 2010, Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, CABI 2010, Hoffman 2010, Anonymous 2005a, Anonymous 2005b, Murphy 2005, Pijnakker 2001, Romeijn 1996, Guda et al. 1988). The holes left by the boring of this pest into the stem can facilitate infection by the fungus Botrytis cinerea (Guda et al. 1988).

damage to stems

In potted plants, where the soil is not hard packed around the roots, the larvae can be found below the soil line sometimes feeding on roots (Ahern 2010, CABI 2010, Messelink and Van Wensveen 2003, Pijnakker 2001, Guda et al. 1988). They also feed on decaying plant debris (Anonymous 2005a, Anonymous 2005b, Murphy 2005, Pijnakker 2001). In fact, McLeod (1996), Romeijn (1996), Messelink and Van Wensveen (2003), and Murphy (2005), report that while there is no feeding damage to live roses, high numbers of larvae can be found in rose detritus which could serve as a source of infestation for other plants.

Sometimes, the European pepper moth eats so aggressively that only the naked caules (stem or stalk of the plant) are left (Marek and Bártová 1998). Other times, external damage can only be detected when there are heavy infestations due to the fact that it can bore into the stems. The leaves can even appear to develop normally and the grower does not know he has the pest until the damage is already done (Unknown 2006a). The stems will then collapse suddenly without the darkening of the stem associated with fungal diseases (Unknown 2006a, Billen 1994).

Monitoring

Monitoring for this pest will be necessary for controlling its population levels by helping to coordinate biological and chemical control measures (Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, DeVenter 2009, Guda et al. 1988). Water traps seem to be the most effective means of capturing the males of this insect, followed by delta traps, and funnel traps (all using the pheromone as bait) (Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, DeVenter 2009, Zandigiacimo and Buian 2007). Light trapping (ultraviolet or blue light) can also be used to monitor the population (CABI 2010, Anonymous 2005a, Pijnakker 2001, McLeod 1996, Romeijn 1996).

Inspection for caterpillars, pupae and adults is also necessary. Look for signs of the caterpillars' presence such as webbing (i.e. feeding tunnels), leaves spun together to form tunnels (particularly at interface of leaves and soil), life stages, and frass along with feeding damage, leaf wilting and stem collapse (from larval tunneling) (Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, Anonymous 2005b, Romeijn 1996). In addition, be sure to look at the interface between the soil and the leaves, between the soil and the container sides, and in detritus found around the crop (Ahern 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, Stocks and colleagues - personal observation). In containerized plants, be sure to look around the base of pots and in detritus next to the pots. Cocoons have been found along the bottom edges of the container next to detritus, but can also be found on low lying leaves (Stocks and colleagues - personal observation, Guda et al. 1988).

feeding tunnels

detritus around containers

Adults are nocturnal and like sheltered areas (such as under vegetation) or on the outside of the containers (especially when these containers are grouped together forming a larger sheltered area). When the adults are disturbed, their flight is short and irregular or they can drop to the ground below (Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Guda et al. 1988, Stocks and colleagues - personal observation). The detection of the eggs is difficult and requires a certain level of expertise to accomplish. Sampling of the other life stages is easier and less costly (Bonsignore and Vacante 2010).

Management

Management for this pest includes biological, cultural and chemical controls and should be coordinated with population monitoring.

Biological Control. All of these biocontrol agents can be ordered for commercial use. Application recommendations (and methods) vary so be sure to read the label.

Biocontrol agents for the larval stage include:

(Ahern 2010, Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, CABI 2010, Zandigiacimo and Buian 2007, Unknown 2006b, Anonymous 2005a, Messelink and Van Wensveen 2003, Pijnakker 2001, Jackel et al. 1996, McLeod 1996).

Biocontrol agents for the egg stage include:

(Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, CABI 2010, Zandigiacimo and Buian 2007, Unknown 2006b, Anonymous 2005a, Zimmermann 2004, Messelink and Van Wensveen 2003, Jackel et al. 1996).

Cultural Control. Because this pest feeds on plant detritus and debris, cultural control includes removal of plant material refuse and weeds from in and around production areas. In addition, because this pest prefers humid, moist microhabitats, the removal of the lower leaves of the plant that come into contact with the soil could help as will the use of drier growth medium (Brambila and Stocks 2010, Zandigiacimo and Buian 2007, Unknown 2006b, Anonymous 2005a). If you are in a greenhouse setting, installing insect nets is necessary for the control of not only this pest, but others (Zandigiacimo and Buian 2007, Unknown 2006b, Anonymous 2005a).

Chemical Control. Spinosad, Bifenthrin, Fluvalinate, Deltamethrin, Esfenvalerate, Orthene, and Lambda-cyhalothrin are recommended for treatment according to the literature. In addition, Imidacloprid, Methomyl, Ethoprop, Acephate, Emamectin, Permethrin, Chlorantraniliprole, and Azadirachtin (an extract of Neem Oil) have also been used (Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, Bonsignore and Vacante 2010, CABI 2010, Anonymous 2005a, Pijnakker 2001, McLeod 1996, Guda et al. 1988). These products are reported to kill the insect with varying degrees of success; however, growers need to confirm registration of the use of these products for their specific crop of concern.

Targeted spraying of the plants may be better than broadly spraying the area due to larval behavior (i.e. burrowing into the stem or fruit, forming webbing tunnels between the leaves and the soil, etc.) (Ahern 2010, Bethke and Vander Mey 2010, Brambila and Stocks 2010, Anonymous 2005a, Pijnakker 2001, Guda et al. 1988). Large droplets size is recommended (Bethke and Vander Mey 2010). Contact insecticides are recommended for use before the larvae bore into the stem; after the larvae have bored into the stem however, systemic applications of those chemicals that can be applied through the irrigation water were recommended (Unknown 2006b, Arzone et al. 2002). In a greenhouse setting, the adults can be treated with an aerosol or fog and applied at night to take advantage of their nocturnal activity (Bethke and Vander Mey 2010).

Selected References

Authors: Stephanie D. Stocks and Amanda Hodges, University of Florida
Photographs: Carmelo Peter Bonsignore, Università degli Studi Mediterranei di Reggio Calabria; Lyle Buss, University of Florida; James Hayden, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry; Marja van der Straten, Plant Protection Service, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Lance Osborne, University of Florida; Pasquale Trematerra, University of Molise, Italy; Jim Bethke, Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside
Project Coordinator: Thomas R. Fasulo, University of Florida
Publication Number: EENY-508
Publication Date: October 2011
Copyright 2011 University of Florida

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