Not known to transmit any human or animal pathogens.

Not known to vector any pathogens or other associated organisms.

Traps should be placed at least 1,150 feet apart. When trapping for more than one species of moth, separate traps for different moth species by at least 65 feet.

Attaching lures to traps

IMPORTANT: Do not include lures for other target species in the trap when surveying for this target.

Attaching lures to traps

IMPORTANT: Do not include lures for other target species in the trap when surveying for this target.

Note: Visual surveys are not an approved method and cannot be used to report negative data, but we are including some visual guidance to help surveyors who may observe larvae or signs of infestation.

Though most descriptions of damage are in Citrus ?--aurantium var. sinensis (orange), G. aurantianum is known to infest several other citrus species, including C. reticulata (mandarin), C. x paradisi (grapefruit), and C. limon (lemon).

In citrus, a brown necrotic area surrounds the site of larval entry; the rind yellows, ripening prematurely. Frass will be visible near the larval entry point on the rind. Most infested fruits drop prematurely, but both fruits that are penetrated when ripe and fruits that do not drop prematurely become a shade of orange that is distinct from healthy fruits.

In macadamia, the signs of infestation may not be readily visible because entry holes are initially small. As the larvae grow, the entry hole enlarges and frass accumulates in and around the entrance.

In pecan, larvae excavate the husk and create frass-filled galleries between the husk and endosperm. Symptoms for other hosts are not included here, as they have not been as well described.

(See the Pest Datasheet for images)

A Likelihood of Establishment Map is now available. This survey should only be considered in the states with appropriate conditions and suitable hosts for this insect. The map was produced by the SAFARIS Team. SAFARIS is a modeling framework that enables PPQ to quickly respond to emergencies, efficiently survey for pests, and assess potential pest impacts by collecting critical geospatial data and developing predictive models. SAFARIS is developed and maintained by the NC State University, Center for Integrated Pest Management (CIPM) with support from PPQ PPRA.

Surveys should take place throughout the fruit growing season. Gymnandrosoma aurantianum can be found if appropriate host fruit are available. In South American citrus production, peak adult flying occurs in spring through early winter (September-June). In Central American macadamia production, adults are present year-round because of continuous fruiting. 

Surveyors should perform trapping surveys. Place traps as described below to capture adults.

Trap placement: 

Prioritize trap placement on host trees with ripening and ripe fruit.

When surveying citrus groves, place traps in trees along the borders of a grove--where infestations often first appear--as surrounding habitats help sustain populations when fruit production is low. Traps should also be installed in abandoned and unmanaged groves and in residential areas with hosts. When trapping in citrus, place traps in the top of the canopy, irrespective of the tree height.

In other tree crops such as macadamia, place traps in the lower or middle canopies or where fruits are present. For other hosts or settings, place traps at least six feet off the ground. The trap entrance/exit should be parallel to the prevailing wind and free from obstructions (e.g. leaves, twigs).

Visual Survey

Note: Visual surveys are not an approved method and cannot be used to report negative data.  

Surveyors placing traps can optionally inspect host fruit for signs of infestation. Since most infested fruits drop prematurely, surveyors can inspect fallen fruits for signs of infestation, including citrus fruit that are yellower than healthy fruit, visible frass on the rind or nut, and sunken areas on the rind that are brown and necrotic. Note that some infested fruits may not express symptoms, depending on the time and severity of infestation.

Survey for G. aurantianum in citrus and macadamia groves. Surveys can also be done in areas with other minor hosts, including lychee, peach, guava, pomegranate, and cacao. Focus survey efforts on sites with a history of pest infestation or with reports of hosts showing signs of infestation.

Follow the Specimen Submission Guidance for Lepidoptera.

• Tortricids of Agricultural Importance provides a description of the adult and larva. This species is also included in the TortAI Larval Key for port interceptions. 
• Adamski and Brown (2001) provide descriptions of this species, including adults and the last instar larva.
• Brambila (2023) provides an identification aid for G. aurantianum.

In general, larvae and adults of the genera Gymnandrosoma, Cryptophlebia, and Ecdytolopha can look similar. This moth will require a taxonomic expert to identify it to the species level as dissection and examination of the genitalia will be required.

In macadamia growing areas, the citrus fruit borer moth can be confused with members of the genus Cryptophlebia. Cryptophlebia illepida and C. ombrodelta are present in Hawaii and are commonly found in macadamia nuts.

Gymnandrosoma leucothorax and G. trachycerus are reported from Puerto Rico, while G. punctidiscanum is found throughout the eastern United States and is commonly caught in CAPS survey traps for citrus fruit borer in Florida. These species share some larval hosts with G. aurantianum, including Citrus spp. (G. trachycerus) and Psidium guajava (G. leucothorax). Gymnandrosoma desotanum and G. orarum, which both occur in Florida and are associated with Rhizophora mangle, are occasionally caught in CAPS survey traps for citrus fruit borer.

Other closely related moths which may be occasionally caught in CAPS survey traps include Ecdytolopha mana, E. palmetum, and Cydia erotella. Ecdytolopha mana occurs in the southern United States from Arizona to Alabama and north to Maryland. Ecdytolopha palmetum occurs in Florida. The range for C. erotella is poorly defined, but scattered populations have been reported in the eastern United States.