Egira crucialis
Harvey, 1875
Egira crucialis is a of or dart moth in the Noctuidae, first described by Harvey in 1875. It is native to North America and has been recorded as an early-season pest of citrus in California's San Joaquin Valley, where it feeds on very young fruit. The species is listed under Hodges number 10508 in the of North America (MONA) database.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Egira crucialis: /ˈɛɡɪrə kruːˈʃiælɪs/
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Images
Distribution
North America. Specific records include California citrus groves in the San Joaquin Valley.
Seasonality
Early-season activity in citrus groves, feeding on very young fruit.
Diet
Very young citrus fruit.
Host Associations
- Citrus reticulata - pestearly-season fruit feeder
- Citrus sinensis - pestearly-season fruit feeder
Behavior
Larvae feed on very young citrus fruit, contributing to fruit scarring that can render fruit unmarketable.
Ecological Role
Agricultural pest in California citrus production.
Human Relevance
Documented pest of commercial citrus groves in California, particularly affecting mandarin and navel orange production through fruit scarring.
Similar Taxa
- Egira curialisSimilar name; both are Egira species associated with citrus, though E. curialis is sometimes referred to as 'citrus ' in literature and may be confused with or closely related to E. crucialis in pest management contexts.