Bionomics of Codling Moth: Classification and Phylogeny

Bionomics of Codling Moth

Classification and Phylogeny
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Subclass:	Pterygota
Order:	Lepidoptera
Suborder:	Microlepidoptera
Family:	Tortricidae
Sub Family:	Olethreutinae
Tribe:	Laspeyresiini
Genus:	Cydia
Species:	pomonella

According to Powel (1964), the ancestral form of Codling moth was a wood borer, which followed the practice of depositing its eggs singly. Codling moth continues the ancestral habits of laying eggs singly and feeding exclusively in the interior of fruit, and overwintering as fully developed larvae (Chapman, 1973).

Some taxonomists believe the Tortricids (a subgroup of the family Tortricidae) should be dealt with separately from Olethreutids (another subgroup of the family Tortricidae) (Petterson, 1948; Chue, 1949). Others include the Olethreutids in the family Tortricidae giving subfamily status to each group - the Tortricinae and Olethreutinae (Tadic, 1963; Chapman, 1971; Bradley, 1979; Razowski, 1979; Bradley, 1979; Bradley, 1979 & Stehr, 1987) (We follow the latter concept in the present paper). In view of Powell (1964), both olethreutids and totricides evolved from a single olethreutoid stock. This ancestral form was an external feeder (probably a wood borer) that had a habit of depositing its eggs singly (a competition avoiding strategy).