Oviposition and flight period of the currant shoot borer Lampronia capitella

The currant shoot borer, Lampronia capitella (Lep., Prodoxidae), is an important pest of currants, Ribes spp., in northern Europe. Oviposition was studied in cage experiments and the flight period was monitored in field studies using pheromone-baited traps. Blackcurrant, Ribes nigrum, was the host species in both studies. The total egg supply of females was on average 107 eggs and oviposition started 2-5 days after emergence. About 60% of the eggs were laid during the first day of the oviposition period. Eggs were laid in currant fruitlets, in batches comprising several, usually four to seven eggs. The flight period started shortly after the end of the flowering period of blackcurrant, and lasted for about 3 weeks.