Seasonal Abundance and Overwintering Mortality In Populations of Lepidopterous Leafminers of Pecan

Abstract

Seasonal monitoring of four leafminers on pecan foliage, Stigmella juglandifoliella (Clemens), Cameraria caryaefoliella (Clemens), Phyllonorycter caryaealbella (Chambers), and Coptodisca lucifluella (Clemens), indicated that larval densities of all four species were highest in late summer and fall. Stigmella juglandifoliella, C. caryaefoliella, P. caryaealbella and C. lucifluella appear to have at least 5, 4, 4 and 4 significant increases in larval density per year, respectively. First emergence of C. caryaefoliella and P. caryaealbella adults occurs from mid- to late March. Larval mortality caused by hymenopterous parasitoids ranged from 14–61%. Overwintering mortality of C. caryaefoliella and P. caryaealbella ranged from 31 to 95% and 27 to 40%, respectively.