Leek Moth
(Click on an image below to see the captioned full-size version) |
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Figure 1 |
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Figure 2 |
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Figure 3 |
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Figure 4 |
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Figure 5 |
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Figure 6 |
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Scientific Name: Acrolepiopsis assectella
Common Names: Leek moth, onion moth
Known Hosts:
Allium spp. Leek is the preferred host, but other hosts include onion, garlic, chives, and shallot
Key ID Features (Adults, Larvae, Eggs): |
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Adult is a small pale brown to black moth. Wingspan is about 1/2 inch (12-15mm). The moth is 1/4 inch (5-7mm) long with wings folded at rest. The forewing has a large triangular white marking with small white markings. The hindwings are heavily fringed and are pale grey to light black in color. (Figure 1 and 2) |
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Adults overwinter in sheltered areas (e.g. buildings, plant debris). |
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Eggs are white and oval-shaped. Due to their small size (0.4mm) they are difficult to detect. |
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Larvae are yellowish-green and about 1/2 inch (13-14 mm) long when mature. Each segment has 8 small spots and the head capsule is pale brown. (Figure 3) |
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The pupal cocoon is 1/2" long. The green pupa is visible through the loosely netted cocoon. Cocoons can be found on the leaves of hosts, neighboring vegetation, and on plant debris. (Figure 4) |
Description of damage: |
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Symptoms include mining and perforations. |
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When feeding on onion or garlic, larvae spend most of their time feeding inside hollow leaves or stems (Figure 5) |
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Larvae can bore into onion or garlic bulbs predisposing them to secondary bacterial or fungal infection. |
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On leek the larvae bore towards the center of the plant to feed on the inner leaves creating a series of pinholes. The larval mining can be seen as longitudinal grooves on mature leaves (Figure 6). This damage renders the crop unmarketable. |
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Damage is more prevalent near field perimeters.
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Similar species or symptoms:
The adult moth is similar in appearance to the carrion-flower moth. See the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food publication on the leek moth for a description and photos.
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/08-009.htm
The cocoon of the leek moth is similar to that of other pest moths such as the diamondback moth.
Fact sheets and references:
USDA, APHIS Pest Response Guidelines
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/emergency/downloads/nprg_leek_moth.pdf
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food- The Leek Moth - An Introduced Pest of Allium in Eastern Ontario
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/08-009.htm
National Agricultural Pest Information System/Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey
http://www.ceris.purdue.edu/napis/pests/lkm/
An Integrated Approach to Management of Leek Moth. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/about-us/offices-and-locations/pest-management-centre/pest-management-centre-publications-and-document-archive/sustainable-crop-protection-factsheet-series/an-integrated-approach-to-management-of-leek-moth/?id=1243356171595
Pesticide Risk Reduction Program, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
http://www5.agr.gc.ca/resources/prod/doc/pmc/pdf/1243356171595_eng.pdf
Release of a Parasitic Wasp for Biological Control of Leek Moth. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/?id=1296674719100
Cornell University Cooperative Extension Leek Moth Fact Sheet
http://web.entomology.cornell.edu/shelton/leek-moth/images/RESOURCES/factsheet2011.pdf
last reviewed December 18, 2014
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