Abundance of Epiphyas postvittana (Walker, 1863) in forestry nurseries of São Miguel Island (Azores, Portugal) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Epiphyas postvittana (Walker, 1863) is an invasive polyphagous pest for the Azores and its bioecology potential natural enemies were unknown. We evaluated temporal profile of this species larval abundance number males captured in sex pheromone traps, hypothesizing that both profiles similar. The study was carried out on seven endemic host plants one native grown two forest nurseries (Furnas Nordeste) São Miguel Island over years from 2018 to 2019. A total 827 attacked by E. observed Furnas nursery (2018: 503, 2019: 324) 1227 Nordeste 649, 578), including presence 525 larvae distributed 178, 79) 131, 137). In 2019, average weekly traps (total 31 weeks) higher (mean ± SE: 9.68 1.982) than (3.33 0.651). synthesis, (i) population density varied throughout year as a function plant production; (ii) adults suggests has at least three four generations per are active year-round, experiencing some delayed development during winter; (iii) low does not represent very serious damage Azorean plants, but reflected enemies; (iv) biological control agents present field, parasitizing (i.e., Braconidae Meteorus ictericus (Nees, 1811) Microgaster opheltes Nixon, 1968); (v) finally, knowledge dynamics needs further long-term study.