The truth about the strange butterfly species that is harming oranges in Con Cuong.

The orange growing region of Nghe An province, known for its specialty oranges, is being attacked by an unidentified butterfly, causing the fruit to wither and fall off in large numbers.

(Baonghean.vn) - Although harvest time is approaching, orange growers in Con Cuong district (Nghe An province) are facing a major problem due to an attack by a strange type of butterfly, causing oranges to fall off in large numbers.

The unusual moth that damages oranges in Con Cuong is called the fruit-piercing moth, scientifically known as Othreis fullonia, and it specializes in feeding on sweet fruits such as oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit.

Regarding harm:The puncture marks are difficult to detect when the fruit is first pierced; after a few days, the marks darken, creating a dark ring around them. The moth prefers large, thin-skinned, juicy fruits. When food is scarce, it may even pierce unripe fruit.

The puncture wounds create yellow spots on the fruit; damaged fruit is usually dry and hard, lacking juice, and in severe cases, it may rot and fall off.

The moth sucks the fruit, and the symptoms after it punctures the fruit cause damage.

Morphological characteristics of the sucking moth:

- All of the above species share common characteristics: they are generally large, strong flyers, with large chests and abdomens covered in long hairs. Adult moths have a body length of 35-37 mm and a wingspan of 85-95 mm. They are dark in color, with many large spots of varying shapes and colors on their wings.

This unusual butterfly only attacks oranges at night. (Photo courtesy of Quang An)

The hindwings are usually orange-yellow, with a dark brown border, and a C-shaped spot in the center, the size of which varies depending on the species. The proboscis develops into long, strong needle-like structures, adapted for piercing through hard, thick shells. When not feeding, the proboscis is usually coiled under the head; when feeding, it can extend straight, reaching over 2 cm in length.

- Newly hatched larvae are light green, later turning dark brown as they grow, with two white spots on their backs.

- The pupae are black.

Measures for managing sucking insects:

- Clean the garden and remove climbing plants (secondary hosts).

- Use a net to catch and kill adult insects at night, between 6 PM and 10 PM.

- During the fruit ripening season, you can use nets or lights to catch moths.

- Use fruit bagging.

Using fruit bagging to protect oranges. (Photo: Archival image)

- Ripe, fragrant fruits like bananas and pineapples, treated with honey and pesticides, are used as bait to catch moths.

- Use bait treated with odorless or low-odor pesticides so as not to affect the scent of the bait traps. Pay attention to placing the traps on trees at the edge of the garden.

- Spray products containing the active ingredients Emamectin or Lufenuron to kill the larvae (young caterpillars).