Deltamethrin exemption as African fruit moth found in peppers

An exemption has been given for the use of deltamethrin for 120 days due to the discovery of a fruit moth on a pepper farm. The KCB, through the NVMA is responsible for monitoring the progress of the African Fruit moth (AFM). It was this monitoring which led to the discovery.

The company, whose location is unknown, has to make a controlled stop during the next crop rotation in a couple of weeks and follow the guidelines to prevent further spread. In the greenhouse three fruit moths were found in pheromone traps. Further investigation in the greenhouse found one fruit moth larvae in an unripe pepper on the greenhouse floor. Where the fruit moth came from remains a mystery. However, in the surrounding areas of the greenhouse, there are companies who regularly introduce plant material from countries where the fruit moth originates.

Photo's of the fruit moth (Source: Plant Protection Service)

Thaumatotibia leucotreta
Thaumatotibia leucotreta commonly known as the False Codling Moth is a moth of the Tortricidae family. It is believed to originate from Sub-Saharan Africa. Caterpillars are found on many host plants of different varieties including citrus, capsicum, (peppers/chillies), avocado, mango, peach, pineapple, grape, olive, pomegranate and guava. The species is often found in imported citrus.

The organisms presence was first discovered in a Dutch production company in Autumn 2009 and then eradicated. Since then the KCB has monitored the progress of the moth. This recent discovery is the second official outbreak in a Dutch greenhouse. T. leucotreta is considered by the NVWA to be harmful, necessitates quarantine and has to be treated accordingly. Therefore the exemption for deltamethrin use was issued.

Despite risk
The Ctgb assessed the intended application for the exemption of deltamethrin in the cultivation of pepper and chillies, to combat T. leucotreta, despite the risk to sediment and aquatic organisms, and agreed to consent to the permit because the fruit moth is a very damaging insect for many fruit crops including peppers and chillies. The NVWA consider the African fruit moth worthy of quarantine and should be treated accordingly. Alternative treatments only work on the larval stages and not the adult moths so the risk of spread could not be guaranteed and were considered inefficient by the Ctgb.

Click here to read more over the exemption

Click here to read about the African fruit moth

For more information: NVWA

Publication date: Wed 13 Nov 2013