Oak nut moth

The oak nut moth (Pammene fasciana) is a species of moth belonging to the order Lepidoptera and the family Tortricidae. It is recognized as a primary pest of oak seeds, causing significant economic losses in both forestry and commercial acorn harvesting operations.

The larvae specifically target the acorns of oak trees. By boring into the developing fruit, they feed on the cotyledons, which leads to the complete destruction of the seed's viability. In outbreak years, the moth can infest the vast majority of the acorn crop within a forest stand.

The biological life cycle consists of a single generation per year. The larvae overwinter in cocoons, typically buried in the soil or tucked into bark crevices. Adult moths emerge in the spring, coinciding with the flowering of host trees, at which point mating and oviposition occur on the young acorns.

Damage caused by the larvae is characterized by internal feeding that leads to the premature shedding of acorns. The presence of the pest is often indicated by small entry holes on the acorn surface, accompanied by frass accumulation. Infested acorns rot rapidly due to secondary fungal infections.

Control strategies for the oak nut moth include integrated management techniques:

• Regular removal and disposal of infested fallen acorns.
• Tilling the soil around host trees to expose overwintering larvae.
• Deploying pheromone traps to monitor adult moth activity.
• Targeted application of biological insecticides during the peak period of larval hatching.