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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #327793
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Mitigation of the Invasive Pest Threat from the American Tropics and Subtropics

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Ecology of the cocoa pod borer, Conopomorpha cramerella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), a major pest for the cocoa industry

Author
item NIOGRET, JEROME - Mars, Inc
item Alborn, Hans
item INGRAM, HEITH - Mars, Inc
item Kendra, Paul
item LAMBERT, SMILJA - Mars, Inc
item Epsky, Nancy

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/21/2016
Publication Date: 9/25/2016
Citation: Niogret, J., Alborn, H.T., Ingram, H., Kendra, P.E., Lambert, S., Epsky, N.D. 2016. Ecology of the cocoa pod borer, Conopomorpha cramerella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), a major pest for the cocoa industry. Meeting Abstract. XXV International Congress of Entomology Orlando, FL. Sept 25-30, 2016

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Conopomorpha cramerella, the cocoa pod borer (CPB), has been known to damage cocoa pods for more than 100 years, but information on the ecology of this species is scant in the scientific literature. That which does exist is scattered in obscure local journals, not readily accessible, and often unverified. An understanding of the basic ecology and behavior of the moth is key for successful control of this pest. Several fundamental questions still need to be answered in order to improve existing and conventional control methods, and to develop new management strategies. To address these questions, ecological and behavioral observations of adult CPB were conducted in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and at USDA-ARS laboratories in Florida, USA. In addition, chemical analyses were conducted to identify volatile emissions from known hosts of CPB.