NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE LIGHT BROWN APPLE MOTH, EPIPHYAS POSTVITTANA, IN THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Abstract

The light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana Walker, is a highly polyphagous native pest of Australia that has recently caused widespread damage to pome, citrus, and vine crops in Victoria and Tasmania. Populations of the pest were followed in a young pesticide-free orchard for two seasons and showed a survival trend of less than 1% of the total eggs laid in each season. An evaluation of its natural enemies by numerical, serological, and forced feeding techniques showed that spiders, particularly the theridiid Achaearanea veruculata (Urquhart), were valuable predators and that they were supported by chrysopids and mirids for short periods of time. Egg, larval, and pupal parasites also contributed to mortality. Brief biological notes on some of the predators are given.