|
|
How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Citrus
Pink Scavenger Caterpillar
Scientific Name: Pyroderces rileyi
(Reviewed 9/08,
updated 9/08)
In this Guideline:
|
|
|
The pink scavenger caterpillar occurs sporadically in the coastal
areas of San Diego, Orange, and Ventura counties. When fully grown, larva are
much smaller than other orangeworms. Pink scavenger caterpillars have light
brown heads, black mouthparts, a dark brown prothoracic shield, and a dark
pinkish abdomen.
On orange and lemon trees, the caterpillar is mainly a scavenger,
feeding on dry or decaying fruit, dead floral parts, and sooty mold. Look for
it mainly among fruit clusters and under sepals. During summer, larvae may feed
on the rind of ripe Valencias, often near the stem end or on the sides of fruit
in a cluster. The feeding is usually superficial and does not cause appreciable
damage. In a few cases, serious damage has occurred similar to that caused by
orange tortrix. A heavy infestation may result in fruit drop or decaying fruit
during storage.
Treatment is rarely needed.
![[UC Peer Reviewed]](/IMAGES/logo-ucpeerreviewed.jpg)
UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Citrus
UC ANR Publication 3441
Insects, Mites, and Snails
E. E. Grafton-Cardwell, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
J. G. Morse, Entomology, UC Riverside
N. V. O‘Connell, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County
P. A. Phillips, UC IPM Program, UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura County
C. E. Kallsen, UC Cooperative Extension, Kern County
D. R. Haviland, UC Cooperative Extension, Kern County
Acknowledgments for contributions to Insect, Mites, and Snails:
J. Barcinas, E. S. I., Corona, CA
R. Dunn, Badger Farming County, Exeter, CA
J. Gorden, Pest Management Associates, Exeter, CA
H. Griffiths, E. S. I., Corona, CA
D. Machlitt, Consulting Entomology Services, Moorpark, CA
C. Musgrove, retired entomologist, Riverside, CA
K. Olsen, S & J Ranch, Pinedale, CA
T. Roberts, E. S. I., Corona, CA
J. Stewart, Pest Management Associates, Exeter, CA
P. Washburn, Washburn & Sons Citrus Pest Control, Riverside, CA
K. Godfrey, USDA Biological Control, Sacramento
D. Headrick, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
B. Faber, UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura County
J. Kabashima, UC Cooperative Extension, South Coast Research and Extension Center
Top of page
|
