Navel orangeworm

Adults

• Adult moths are about 9–11mm long and greyish-brown.
• Wings have silver-grey markings.
• Moths have short, dark projections from the front of the head.

Larvae

• White to pink with a dark reddish-brown head.
• Distinctive pair of crescent-shaped markings on the second segment behind the head.
• Tiny when they first hatch, but as they develop they can grow up to 13–19mm long.

Pupae

• 7–12mm long and dark brown.

Eggs

• Tiny, oval and flattened, with ridge-like marks.
• Initially, eggs are white, but turn pink, then reddish-brown before hatching.
• Laid on mummified or split nuts, on twigs, in the navel end of injured oranges, and splits and wounds in fruit and nuts.

Plant stage and plant parts affected

Plants are affected during the fruiting stage, as the pest feeds mainly on damaged, overripe and dried fruits and nuts.

Plant damage

• Fruit and nuts damaged by sunburn, other pests or environmental factors are most susceptible.
• In nuts, the first sign can be the presence of small, pin-sized holes that are the start of tunnels into the nut meat where the larvae feed.
• Extensive amounts of webbing and frass (insect excrement) can be produced by the feeding larvae.
• Navel orangeworm larvae scavenge in splits and wounds of fruit such as citrus, especially navel oranges, and feed in or near the core.
• On grapes, larvae feed in the fruit, particularly dried and decaying clusters of berries.
• Larval feeding can allow decay-causing organisms to enter the fruit and nuts, such as the aflatoxin producing fungus, Aspergillus flavus.
• This damage can lead to fruit drop, contamination and reduction in marketable fruit and nuts.

Navel orangeworm occurs in the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina and Brazil. It does not occur in Australia.

Navel orangeworm feed on a variety of nut and fruit crops including pistachios, almonds, walnuts, citrus, dates, figs, grapes, apples, pears and stone fruit.

• Larvae hatch from the eggs after 4 to 23 days, depending on environmental conditions.
• There are 5 larval growth stages (instars).
• Larva develop a cocoon where they pupate (change into adult moths).
• After emergence, adult moths mate and recommence the life cycle.
• Under favourable conditions navel orangeworm can remain active all year round.
• If weather conditions are unfavourable (cold), navel orangeworms can overwinter in the previous season's crop residue (mummified fruit and nuts) as larvae or pupae.

Navel orangeworm is an economically significant pest of nut crops overseas, as well as fruit crops such as citrus, grapes and figs. Feeding damage and contamination caused by navel orangeworm reduces yield and results in unmarketable fruit and nuts.

Domestic and international market access could be disrupted.

Backyard growers would also be affected.

Navel orangeworms can be difficult to see as they can be hidden inside nut shells. People moving egg, larvae or moth infested plant material, including nuts, could spread navel orangeworm over long distances and introduce this pest into Australia.

The Australian Government closely regulates approved imports of plant material and nuts, and monitors for illegal plant movement to prevent the introduction of exotic plant pests like navel orangeworm.

The adult moths are capable of flying up to 375–425m to find a new host, so are quite capable of spreading rapidly within an orchard.

Look for:

• larvae in mummified or overripe and dried fruit and nuts left on trees or on the ground
• surface scarring and borer damage in fruit and nuts, with webbing and insect frass
• the presence of larvae that are white to pink with a dark reddish-brown head, or brown pupae, or the presence of moths and eggs associated with the symptoms above.

If you suspect you have found navel orangeworm, you must report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or contact the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

For further advice on how to monitor for naval orangeworm, read the Orchard biosecurity manual for the almond industry (PDF, 3.6MB).

• Protect your farm from emergency plant pests
• Understand good farm biosecurity
• Visit the farm biosecurity website

Navel orangeworm is a prohibited plant pest under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

Report suspected navel orangeworm to Biosecurity Queensland immediately on 13 25 23 or contact the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

If you think you have found navel orangeworm, you must take all reasonable and practical steps under your control to minimise any associated risks. This is called a general biosecurity obligation (GBO).