November 2009. A problem on eggplant from the Seychelles sent by the National Plant Protection Organization within the Plant and Animal Health Services of the Seychelles Agricultural Agency. It was said to be a new and serious problem.

One member sent a link to Pickleworm, Diaphania nitidalis, a common pest of cucurbits ??? squash, cucumbers and muskmelons. The larva is brownish with darker brown or black head.

Http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/…/pickle_worm.html

Another suggestion given was the Eggplant fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis, (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). This pest occurs in many part of Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam. It was recognised that the quality of the photos was not sufficient to give a positive ID.

Another member said that if it was Leucinodes orbonalis, then it is possible to use its sex pheromone in its management. Sixteen traps (water traps along with the sex pheromone lure/acre) can give control of 80-90% of the population. Bio-Control Research Laboratories, Bangalore, India has developed mass-trapping technology for this pest, which is working quite effectively