Hi, this publication may help. Article Avocado seed moth, Stenoma catenifer Walsingham (Lepidoptera...

This was my first idea, but these larvae are found in the roots and twig base of avocado seedlings.

Damage by Stenoma larvae is rectricted to fruits isn't it?.

Pupa is very different. Have you seen the cephalic proyection ?

Thank you, Imen.

Hello:

Your specimen is Stenoma catenifer (Avocado seed moth) (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae).

Stenoma larvae is not restricted to fruits. In the absence of fruits larvae can bore branches and stems and kill small trees. On the other hand, the insect can bore both the terminal vegetative shoots and the avocado fruits The moth deposits the eggs in the branches, the larva emerges and bores the shoots descending from 5 to 7cm and because it feeds on the tissue of the heartwood, leaves and buds die. In which locality and country did you collected the specimen ?

Please read page 9 on this paper about the biology of Stenoma catenifer

https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/155686/Ficha_T_cnica_stenoma_catenifer_EPF_2016__1_.pdf

My first idea is also Stenoma catenifer and i agree with Dr. Luis Miguel Constantino. Best of luck.

Hello:

I agree with Imen. The only known Elaschistidae moth attacking avocado is Stenoma catenifer. Stenoma larva undergoes an important morphological change from the fourth instar to the fifth instar, going from creamy white coloration with dark bands in each abdominal segment to a reddish coloration without black bands. Felipe's answer does not solve the question of JM Molina Rodriguez.

Luis Miguel Constantino , Felipe Gil-T. , Imen Mougou, thanks you very much for this discussion ... At the moment I only have a few photos and not much more information ... some adults should arrive to our laboratory for study.

I hope it's not Stenoma!

The photograph of the adult resembles the moths of the Yponomeutidae family. I do not know if any species of this family attacks the genus Persea, apart from Atteva punctella Cramer, which is very different from the species that appears in the photograph.

Well, while we're awaiting for some adults for the genitalia dissection.

Opogona sacchari (Bojer) (Tineidae)?. What do you think about it? Has been previously cited on avocado?

Looking at the picture of the adult moth, I would say that it was almost certainly a depressariid (sometimes placed as its own subfamily [Depressariidae] and sometimes within the Elchistidae). Many are detritivours so the question is, are the larvae really eating the roots of the seedlings or just living in the compost. With good quality voucher specimens it should be possible to say which species it is, and if it is a Spanish species - rather than an adventive. A second question is were the seedlings 'home grown' or imported?

I initially thought it was not Opogona sacchari but looking more closely at the wing pattern, it could be.

The larval picture doesn't seem to fit.

Probably best to wait for the specimens to arrive.

I strongly promote the idea that this is Opogona sacchari. It is a variable species regarding wing pattern, but the one in your photo matches exactly one of the most common variants. All fits otherwise too, in particular the conspicuous 'cap' at the base of antenna that rules out all gelechioids incl Stenoma. And, anything relevant other posibilities that I am aware out as well, apart from Opogona. The shape of the pupa also supports this id - identical with our collection vouchers.

Opogona?

Well friends, finally we've received the specimens. After genitalia dissection we can confirm the identity of this species as Opogona sacchari (Bojer) (Tineidae:Hieroxestinae).

Fortunately, the genitalia of both sexes have good diagnostic characters.

https://gd.eppo.int/download/standard/195/pm7-071-1-en.pdf

I would like to thank you for your opinions and discussions on this topic.

See you soon.