Biology, morphometric and integrative taxonomy of litchi fruit borer, Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley, 1986: A major pest of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

Abstract Conopomorpha sinensis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), commonly known as the litchi fruit borer, is a devastating pest of litchi, leading to substantial economic losses in fruit production. The present study was incepted to supplement updated information on biology, morphometrics, integrative taxonomy, and phylogenetic analysis of C. sinensis . The duration of developmental stages such as egg, larval, pre-pupal, pupal, male and female adult lasts for 3.45 ± 1.13, 11.10 ± 2.52, 2.05 ± 0.51, 5.85 ± 0.88, 5.55 ± 1.00, and 9.00 ± 1.12 days, respectively. The average fecundity was 33.10 ± 6.84 eggs/female. The head capsule width for five larval instars was 0.11 ± 0.01, 0.18 ± 0.02, 0.34 ± 0.01, 0.58 ± 0.04, and 0.64 ± 0.06 mm, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed distinct species-groups formed by C. sinensis with other fruit borer species considered ( C. cramerella , C. litchiella Bradley, and Thaumatotibia batrachopa (Meyrick)). Understanding the life cycle of C. sinensis and its correct identification is crucial for targeted pest control strategies. Traditional and molecular taxonomy assist in rapid and accurate species identification and understanding of the evolutionary relationships among Conopomorpha species.