Annona fruit borer

Anonaepestis bengalella is a specialized insect pest belonging to the order Lepidoptera and the family Pyralidae. It is recognized as a significant threat to the cultivation of various Annona species, including soursop and cherimoya, across tropical and subtropical regions.

The host range is primarily limited to the Annonaceae family. The pest specifically targets the fruit, starting from the early developmental stages up to maturity. The larvae feed internally, which protects them from environmental factors and some external treatments, making management challenging.

The life cycle involves four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult moth. The adults typically lay eggs on the surface of the fruit near the stem or natural crevices. Upon hatching, the larvae bore into the fruit tissue, creating complex galleries filled with frass, which provides a gateway for secondary fungal and bacterial rot.

The damage caused by the Annona fruit borer is severe, leading to significant yield loss and degradation of fruit quality. Infested fruits often turn yellow, deform, and drop prematurely. Even if the fruit remains on the tree, the internal damage makes it completely unsuitable for market consumption.

To effectively manage the infestation, an integrated approach is essential:

• Regular field scouting to identify early signs of infestation.
• Sanitation practices, including the removal and destruction of dropped or infested fruits.
• Deployment of pheromone traps for pest monitoring and population suppression.
• Targeted application of biological or chemical insecticides.
• Bagging of individual fruits to prevent oviposition by the adult moths.