Flight activity of the groundnut leafminer (Aproaerema modicella Deventer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in the groundnut production areas of South Africa

Abstract

The groundnut leafminer (GLM), Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) is a pest of groundnut and soybean and also attacks lucerne. No information exists on the flight patterns of this invasive species that established in the groundnut production area of South Africa since 2000. GLM flight activity patterns were studied using pheromone traps at the border of groundnut fields at four localities. Flight activity coincided with the main production period of groundnut crops with the highest number of moths generally recorded between January and May. Timing of planting will therefore largely affect both the severity and time of GLM infestation, irrespective of locality and it should also be kept in mind when flight activity and field infestation by GLM are investigated. Number of moths captured with pheromone traps as an indicator of subsequent larval incidence can in future also be used to determine the optimum time for insecticide applications. An integrated management strategy for GLM should be developed which integrates a combination of time of planting (cultural control), biological- and chemical control