General
Litchi moth (Cryptophlebia peltastica) is native to Southern Africa and also occurs on the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion and Seychelles. Litchi moth is polyphagous and of economic importance on litchi, and macadamia nuts to a limited extent.
Appearance and life cycle of Litchi moth
The moth lays her eggs singly on the fruit, rarely on the leaves. On hatching the larvae feeds on the fruit skin and then tunnels towards the seed. Larvae usually do not pupate in fruit on the tree but leave the fruit to pupate in the soil.
Damage and symptoms
The newly hatched larva penetrates the litchi fruit and feeds its way through the fruit flesh and into the seed. Such feeding causes fungal growth and other infestations leading to fruit rot. Larva activity is detected by the presence of brown granular excreta on the fruit surface.