Avocado seed moth, Stenoma catenifer

The avocado seed moth attacks fruits and seeds of the Lauraceae family including avocado and coyo. It occurs in central and South America. Females lay eggs at night on fruit pedicles or in crevices on the surface of fruit. The larvae pupate in soil or within the seed they were feeding on. One to eight larvae can be found feeding on one seed. Damage to fruit is easily visible, characteristics include bore holes containing frass, open and cracked fruit and white sugars that run down fruit from bore holes. Monitor adults using Mothcatcher or Delta traps with species-specific pheromone lures in order to time treatments as part of an effective integrated pest management programme.
Avocado seed moth
Biology

 

Nature of Damage

 

Monitoring