A new invasive insect pest

The European pepper moth (EPM), Duponchelia fovealis Zeller, is a brand new invasive Lepidopteran pest of vegetables (peppers) and greenhouse ornamental crops in Georgia. The larvae of European pepper moth cause damage to the plant by boring into the stem and fruit, typically in the top two centimeters of soil, causing the host plant to wilt. This pest has already spread through Florida where is has been detected as far north as Jacksonville. UGA entomology surveys show that it can be detected as far north as Oconee County and is present in high numbers in Grady County, where there is extensive pepper production. A report has been submitted to the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association on both the survey results and on one control study that suggests that spinosad might provide some control. It does not appear to be an economic problem in pepper at the current time and is more of a contamination problem in potted plants in ornamental nurseries.