A new avocado pest in Central America (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) with a key to Lepidoptera larvae threatening avocados in California Author Gilligan, Todd M. Author Brown, John W. Author Hoddle, Mark S. text Zootaxa 2011 3137 31 45 journal article 45739 10.5281/zenodo.204440 3adb68b0-b73e-48f4-a667-d9cbe60e627b 1175-5326 204440 Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) ( Tortricidae : Olethreutinae ) The false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta , is a native of sub-Saharan Africa. This polyphagous species is a serious pest of citrus and cotton and has been recorded from more than 50 plant species in over 30 families ( Brown et al. 2008 , van der Geest et al. 1991). In South Africa , T. leucotreta is considered the most significant Lepidoptera pest of avocado ( Erichsen and Schoeman 1994 ). Larvae cause direct damage by tunneling in the fruit just beneath the skin, and larval feeding often results in secondary damage caused by bacteria and fungi ( Erichsen and Schoeman 1994 ). Thaumatotibia leucotreta is not established in California; however, a single male was collected in a pheromone trap in Ventura County in July, 2008 ( Gilligan et al. 2011 ). This species is one of the most commonly intercepted tortricids on pepper ( Solanaceae : Capsicum annuum L.) and eggplant ( Solanaceae : Solanum melongena L.) at U.S. ports-of-entry ( Brown 2006 , Gilligan et al. 2011 ).