Taxonomic studies and DNA barcoding of sapota bud borer, Eustalodes achrasella (Bradley, 1981) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) from India

The sapota bud borer, Eustalodes achrasella (Bradley, 1981) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), causes significant damage in the commercial sapota orchards leading to economic yield losses. The young larvae damage the foliage and buds by webbing and scraping the tissue, whereas, later stages bore into fruits resulting in severe drying, defoliation and reduced crop yields. The present study investigated the field infestation and damage symptoms caused by E. achrasella in Punjab, India. It also includes illustrations of various life stages of the pest, a detailed taxonomic redescription, and the development of a novel mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I DNA barcode for precise identification of this species.