Pistachio
Guides
Amyelois transitella
Navel Orangeworm, Navel Orangeworm Moth
The navel orangeworm moth (Amyelois transitella) is a pyralid moth native to the tropical western Hemisphere and southwestern United States. First described from Arizona in 1899, its abundance in California increased dramatically during the first half of the 20th century. It is now the most serious insect pest of almonds and pistachios in California, with larvae feeding directly on nuts and adults capable of introducing fungi that produce aflatoxins. The species has been extensively studied for its chemical ecology, particularly its sex pheromone system, which has enabled practical mating disruption programs in agricultural fields.
Chinavia hilaris
Green Stink Bug, Green Soldier Bug
Chinavia hilaris, commonly known as the green stink bug, is a native North American pentatomid pest primarily affecting cotton, soybean, and pistachio crops. Adults are bright green with distinctive black bands on the antennae and a pointed spine projecting between the hind legs. The species exhibits a unique seasonal phenology, colonizing woody noncrop hosts such as black cherry and elderberry in spring before dispersing to agricultural crops in mid-to-late season. Unlike the polyphagous southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula), C. hilaris rarely completes development in peanut and shows strong fidelity to cotton. It is susceptible to the microsporidian pathogen Nosema maddoxi and is cross-attracted to pheromones of other stink bug species.
Hylesinus
crenulate bark beetles
Hylesinus is a genus of bark beetles in the family Curculionidae comprising more than 180 described species. Members are commonly known as crenulate bark beetles and are primarily associated with woody plants, particularly ash (Fraxinus) and pistachio (Pistacia). Several species have been studied as pests of economic or ornamental importance.