SEASONAL OCCURRENCE AND PARASITIZATION OF THE TOMATO PINWORM (LEPIDOPTERA, GELECHIIDAE) ON FRESH-MARKET TOMATOES IN SOUTHERN-CALIFORNIA

The bionomics of the tomato pinworm, Keiferia lycopersicella (Walsingham), were studied on fresh market tomatoes in southern California from 1971 through 1977. Larval infestation of fruit ranged from a seasonal avg of 0.25% in 1973 to 39.2% in 1977, and averaged ca. 13% during the study period. Larval populations increased abruptly in late Sept. in 1976 and mid-Oct. in 1977, reaching peaks of 171 larvae/man-hour search and 345/m of row, respectively. Parasitization of the larvae ranged from an avg of 1.6% in 1973 to 36.8% in 1972, and averaged ca. 23% during the study period. Apanteles dignus Muesebeck was the most abundant parasite reared from the larvae followed by Sympiesis stigmatipennis Girault, Apanteles scutellaris Muesebeck, Parahormius pallidipes (Ashmead), Chelonus phthorimaeae Gahan, and Campoplex phthorimaeae (Cushman), in that order. © 1979 Entomological Society of America.