A note on the carpenter moth Salagena sp., a new pest of cashew in Zambia

Abstract

Salagena sp. (Lepidoptera: Metarbelidae) is reported for the first time as a pest of cashew. The larva feeds on the bark and bores galleries in the wood, covering the point of attack with a typical mass of frass and silk. The attack is widespread on most adult cashew trees In the western province of Zambia, severely reducing their vigour and opening the way to secondary invaders leading to progressive decline of the trees. Seasonal cycle and preliminary control measures including removal of the grubs, pruning, spraying and swabbing with insecticide, are briefly described.