Cadra figulilella

(Gregson, 1871)

raisin moth

Cadra figulilella, the raisin , is a globally distributed pest of dried and ripening fruits in the Pyralidae. First identified as a pest of Muscat raisins in California in 1928, it has since spread to tropical and Mediterranean climates worldwide. The is economically significant due to larval damage to dates, raisins, figs, and other fruits both on the tree and in storage. are short-lived and , with females laying an average of 160 that hatch into larvae capable of causing up to 90% fruit in severe cases.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cadra figulilella: //ˈkɑː.drə fɪˌɡuː.lɪˈlɛl.lə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from congeneric by reproductive : almost straight uncus, long thin costal outgrowth at approximately 90° angle, and short hindwing fringes. Wing pattern is unreliable for identification due to similarity with other Cadra species. Mating provides additional diagnostic cues: males curl over during courtship, and copulation involves a characteristic head-bump followed by thrusting behavior at a 30–40° angle from the ground.

Appearance

are approximately 1 cm in body length with a wingspan of 14–16 mm. The body has a brown-grey complexion with six horizontal rows of purple-colored dots. The is reddish-brown. Hindwings have short fringes. Reproductive structures provide key diagnostic features: an almost straight uncus, long thin costal outgrowth, and an angle of approximately 90°. Wing pattern is not diagnostic as it closely resembles other Cadra . are small, round, and initially yellow-orange to creamy white, maturing to greenish-grey.

Habitat

Occurs in agricultural settings with fruit production, particularly date palm plantations, vineyards, and dried fruit storage facilities. Natural sites include the upper 4 inches of topsoil and under loose bark of plants. In stored products, all life stages can persist year-round. tolerate temperatures between 15–36°C and do not fly below 13°C. Excessive precipitation reduces establishment probability.

Distribution

Native range unknown; first recorded in Fresno County, California in 1928. Currently established in California, Florida, the Eastern Mediterranean region, Middle East, North Africa, Middle Asia, Australia (including Queensland), and parts of South America. Present in Iran, northwestern and southwestern China, and Southern Sweden. Climate models predict potential range expansion of 5.24–36.37% by end of century under high emission scenarios.

Seasonality

Larvae develop continuously throughout the year in suitable conditions, with development rate dependent on temperature. In temperate regions, occurs as fully developed larvae in soil or under bark, with younger larvae typically failing to survive winter. are , with peak activity from 7 pm to 5 am and maximum activity at approximately 8 pm. Multiple per year (4–5) in favorable climates.

Diet

Larvae are herbivores feeding on ripening, overripe, or dried fruits. Documented include: dates, raisins, figs (fallen), carob pods, grapes, mulberries (spring), peaches, apricots, pears, prunes, cacao beans, cottonseed cake, cashew kernels, and apricot kernels. Feeding occurs both on fruit still attached to plants and on fallen or stored fruit. do not feed; they consume only water.

Host Associations

Phoenix dactylifera - primary dates, serious pest of ripening fruit
Vitis vinifera - grapes
Ficus carica - fallen figs
Ceratonia siliqua - ripe carob pods
Morus spp. - seasonal fallen mulberries, primary spring when other fruits scarce
Prunus persica - peaches
Prunus armeniaca - apricots
Prunus domestica - prunes
Pyrus communis - pears
Theobroma cacao - cacao beans
Anacardium occidentale - cashew kernels
Prunus armeniaca (kernels) - apricot kernels

Life Cycle

Complete with four stages. : laid singly or in small batches on or near fruit surface, sticky but not glued; hatch in approximately 4 days with ~75% success rate. Larva: immediately bores into fruit upon hatching; development time varies with temperature (54–65 days at 30°C); as fully developed larva in soil or under bark. Pupa: web-covered, brown, in silken cocoon on trees or in upper soil layers; development approximately 10 days. : emerges from cocoon; lifespan 11–16 days (males shorter, females longer); up to 4–5 per year under optimal conditions.

Behavior

activity beginning after 7 pm, peaking at 8 pm, and ceasing by 5 am. Mating involves complex courtship: females release to attract males; males respond by curling over , exposing abdominal hair-pencils; pair joins at 30–40° angle; copulation initiated by head-bump and thrusting (75% first-attempt success). Post-copulatory drag-walk by female with attached male. behavior observed; larvae move from fruit to topsoil at onset of cold weather. devote resources entirely to and do not forage.

Ecological Role

Agricultural pest causing direct economic damage through larval feeding and indirect damage via and silk webbing . Serves as for including Venturia canescens and Habrobracon hebetor, which have been investigated for . Larvae in dropped fruit are preyed upon by fire ants (Solenopsis aurea) and California harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex californicus).

Human Relevance

Major pest of dried fruit industry worldwide. can reach 80–90% of fruit in untreated conditions. Causes severe quantitative and qualitative losses to dates, raisins, and other dried fruits. Larval feeding renders fruit unmarketable; post-harvest ineffective against internally feeding larvae. Control methods include chemical (azinphos-methyl, diazinon), using synthetic (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (ZETA), and investigation of blue neon light attraction for trapping.

Similar Taxa

Ephestia elutellasimilar size and in stored products; distinguished by genitalia and composition
Cadra cautellacongeneric with overlapping range; distinguished by male genitalia structure and copulatory
Ephestiodes gilvescentellasimilar (dusky raisin moth) and ; distinguished by genital and wing characteristics

More Details

Temperature and Development

Development rate is strongly temperature-dependent. At 28°C, one requires 43 days; at 30°C, development takes 54–65 days. Optimal temperature range during wettest quarter is 0–18°C for establishment.

Pheromone Biology

Female attract males but are structurally similar to those of other Phycitinae, necessitating elaborate -specific courtship rituals to prevent interspecific mating. Males also release species-specific pheromones to further reduce hybridization risk.

Economic Impact Statistics

In Iranian date plantations, initial was 1.3% at fruit ripening in April, peaked at 11.7% in mid-September, and reached 80% by March. Recent studies indicate rates up to 90% in untreated conditions.