Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds

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Summary

• Restricted distribution. Asia, Africa, Oceania. Present in Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Vanuatu.
• A major pest. Larvae bore into fruits of Tahitian chestnut creating holes with frass, making them inedible. Light grey, up to 15 mm long, caterpillar with 8 spots on each segment. Moths, brown with yellow tips to forewings.
• Cultural control: ideally, remove fallen fruit - but trees grow wild so unlikely to make an impact.
• Chemical control: Not an appropriate measure: trees large, wild and larvae protected inside fruits.