My Time With Moths:My Time With Moths:Occurrence, Density, and Seasonal Pattern of Two Strains of Occurrence, Density, and Seasonal Pattern of Two Strains of Pecan Nut Casebearer (Pecan Nut Casebearer (Acrobasis nuxvorellaAcrobasis nuxvorella) in the Mesilla Valley) in the Mesilla Valley

Ellie M. Apodaca, Tracey Carrillo and Jesus RodriguezEllie M. Apodaca, Tracey Carrillo and Jesus Rodriguez

The Three Stages of PNC The Three Stages of PNC

EggEgg

Over-wintering moths Over-wintering moths lay eggs around mid-lay eggs around mid-AprilApril

Hatch about mid-MayHatch about mid-May

LarvaeLarvae

The larvae stage is The larvae stage is the most damaging the most damaging stage of the life cyclestage of the life cycle

It lasts from about It lasts from about mid-May until the end mid-May until the end of June of June

MothMoth

The adult moth The adult moth emerges in mid- Julyemerges in mid- July

It is about 1/3 inch It is about 1/3 inch long and gray in long and gray in colorcolor

GenerationsGenerations

2-4 generations in a life cycle2-4 generations in a life cycle 11stst generation most damaging to pecan generation most damaging to pecan

orchards (whole clusters)orchards (whole clusters) 22ndnd generation only eat one or two nutlets generation only eat one or two nutlets 33rdrd and 4 and 4thth generations eat little and go generations eat little and go

into hibernation in a silken cocoon into hibernation in a silken cocoon

DamageDamage

First generation larvae First generation larvae do the most damagedo the most damage

They burrow into the They burrow into the nulets and eat the nulets and eat the gelatin inside often gelatin inside often destroying whole destroying whole clustersclusters

Southern StrainSouthern Strain

Different lures are needed for the Different lures are needed for the Southern StrainSouthern Strain

Different insecticides are neededDifferent insecticides are needed Using the same lures and insecticides Using the same lures and insecticides

would be useless against a different kind would be useless against a different kind of moth. This is why the strains need to of moth. This is why the strains need to be identified.be identified.

ObjectiveObjective

To determine the occurrence, density and seasonal pattern of the Southern Strain of PNC in the Mesilla Valley

ExecutionExecution

Bucket Traps are Bucket Traps are used for PNC used for PNC capturecapture

Female Pheromone Female Pheromone LuresLures

Toxicant Strip Toxicant Strip

After Moth CaptureAfter Moth Capture

Moths are placed in Moths are placed in containers and containers and labeled:labeled:

Bucket #Bucket # DateDate Native or Southern Native or Southern

traps traps

SortedSorted

Once moths are Once moths are brought back to the brought back to the lab they are counted lab they are counted and sorted into and sorted into Native, Southern, or Native, Southern, or non-incidentalsnon-incidentals

ResultsResults

012345678

May June July

DateNum

ber o

f mot

hs c

aptu

red

Southern s Native s. Others

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

May J une J uly

Date

Others

ConclusionConclusion

The Southern strain of PNC does exist in the Mesilla Valley. Continued research will determine: number of generations, seasonal pattern throughout the entire season, and density. DNA fingerprinting will confirm identification and references other strains that may be present.

Thank YouThank You

Tracey CarrilloTracey Carrillo Jesus RodriguezJesus Rodriguez Assured ProgramAssured Program