• Chestnut fruit moth

  General The chestnut fruit moth ( Cydia splendana ) is a pest of chestnut and occasionally walnut. It is widely distributed in Europe. Damage symptoms A part of the kernel of the chestnut is destroyed and replaced by blackish frass. Heavy infestation can lead to considerable crop losses. Life cycle and appearance of Chestnut fruit moth The adults have a wing span of 14-22 mm, greyish white forewings, suffused with darker grey and brown, and a large

• Oak processionary moth

  General The oak processionary moth ( Thaumetopoea processionea ), is a major pest of oak in many European countries. The common and scientific names of this moth refer to the behaviour of the larvae to form long processions. The moth is native to central and southern Europe but is now present in almost all European countries and also in parts of the Middle East. Damage symptoms The nests of caterpillars on infested trees are clearly visible. The larvae

• Pine processionary moth

  General The Pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa), is a major pest of pine trees around the Mediterranean Sea. It is most conspicuously damaging on pine plantations, or amenity pines. Damage symptoms The nests of caterpillars on infested trees are clearly visible. Defoliation damage is extremely serious in young reforested areas where it may lead to death of trees, directly or as a consequence of attack by bark beetles or other

• Grape berry moth

  General The Grape berry moth ( Eupoecilia ambiguella ), is an important pest of grapevine. Other hosts include Hedera and currants. It is widely distributed in central and southern Europe. Damage symptoms The larvae destroy flower buds and also cause the death of open flowers and young fruitlets. Later in the season they destroy developing or maturing grapes. Fungal pathogens often invade the damaged tissue, which can lead to further losses.

• Mediterranean corn stalkborer

  General The Mediterranean corn stalkborer ( Sesamia nonagrioides ), is an serious pest of maize in Southern Europe and North Africa. It can also attack sorghum, sugarcane, wheat, rice and barley. Damage symptoms Larvae feed in stems, eating out frass-filled galleries. Stem tunnelling may kill growing points, resulting in 'deadheart' symptoms as terminal leaves die, and may also cause stem breakages. Larvae may also feed in maize cobs and in

• Small fruit tortrix

  General The small fruit tortrix ( Grapholita lobarzewskii ), is a pest of apple, damson, plums and cherries in central Europe. Damage symptoms The damage is similar to codling moth on apple, and plum fruit moth on plums and damson. Life cycle and appearance of Small fruit tortrix The adults have a wingspan of 13-14 mm with mainly greyish brown or dark brown to blackish forewings and dark greyish brown hindwings. The larvae are up to 12 mm long; body

• Oriental fruit moth

  General The oriental fruit moth ( Grapholita molesta ) is an important pest of peach and nectarines; other fruit trees like apple, pear, almond and apricot are also attacked by this pest. It is native to north-west China, and spread from Japan to Australia, central Europe, the east coast of the USA and Brazil at the beginning of the twentieth century. Since then, the pest has been introduced into many other countries. Damage symptoms Infested

• Black vine weevil

  General The black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, is a pest in many ornamental crops (e.g. rhododendron, cyclamen and azalea), as well as in strawberries and other fruit crops in both temperate and sub-tropical regions. It belongs to the family Curculionidae. Damage symptoms The major damage is caused by the feeding of the larvae on the roots. After the roots have been destroyed the larvae move into corms, rhizomes and stem bases of plants

• Common asparagus beetle

  General The common asparagus beetle ( Crioceris asparagi ) is a major, host-specific pest of asparagus in most asparagus producing regions of the world. Damage symptoms Both adults and larvae feed on the leaves of asparagus . As the larvae feed, they secrete a blackish fluid, consisting of faecal material, which may contaminate the plant. Life cycle and appearance of Common asparagus beetle The life cycle of the asparagus beetle has the following

• Leafhoppers

  Biological control of leafhoppers Leafhoppers are highly mobile, sap-sucking pests that feed on plant leaves, causing discoloration, stippling and leaf curling. Their feeding reduces photosynthesis, weakens plant growth and can lead to reduced yield and lower crop quality. In addition, leafhoppers can transmit plant pathogens, increasing the risk of disease spread within greenhouse and field crops. Effective leafhopper control is therefore essential