Impact and management of Opogona sacchari (Bojer, 1856) (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) in a display glasshouse in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Opogona sacchari (Bojer, 1856), or the banana moth, EPPO code OPOGSC, is an EPPO A2‐listed polyphagous insect. In Northern Europe this pest is mainly confined to glasshouses. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Garden Wisley is located in Surrey, GB. In 2007, a new high‐specification glasshouse was built to host plants from temperate and tropical zones. Soon after the opening of the glasshouse to the public, the banana moth was detected. Different methods were used to understand and manage this infestation, which caused significant losses of plant specimens. Here we share our experience of different management approaches, a list of plants damaged or killed by the insect and our main conclusions on tackling future outbreaks.