The False Codling Moth (FCM), or Thaumatotibia leucotreta is a highly destructive pest native to sub-Saharan Africa. It affects a wide range of crops including citrus, mangoes, avocados, capsicum, and roses. With its high reproductive capacity and adaptability to warm climates, FCM has become a serious concern for farmers and exporters across the continent. But how is it spreading, what are the EU regulations, and what are the solutions? In this article, Benjamin Gass, Business Development and Marketing Manager at Éléphant Vert, a company headquartered in France and specializing in biostimulants and biocontrol products, shares his insights.".
How FCM is spreading and why it matters
How is FCM spreading? Gass: "Due to expanding trade networks and climate change, FCM is spreading rapidly across Africa. Infested fruits are often rendered unsellable, leading to significant economic losses for growers. Worse still, shipments containing even traces of FCM are frequently rejected at international borders—especially in the European Union—leading to costly export bans and loss of market access."
Europe's response: Tougher regulations
To address the rising number of FCM interceptions, the European Union has implemented strict phytosanitary requirements, in turn affecting the growers. "The EU not only reinforced border controls on high-risk produce, they also require mandatory implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans in exporting countries and as well as a certification or post-harvest treatment to confirm absence of FCM. These measures have placed significant pressure on African producers to adopt more rigorous, sustainable, and effective pest management strategies."
Sustainable solutions: Monitoring, mating disruption, and biological control
While chemical pesticides can offer short-term relief, they come with limitations—especially the risk of resistance and environmental harm, Gass stresses. "That's why a shift toward biological and ecological solutions is not just encouraged, but essential."
So what biological and ecological solutions are available? "At Éléphant Vert, we are committed to supporting farmers with biologically based, environmentally friendly tools that align with export requirements and sustainable agriculture. For rose growers we offer four products, namely Crytrack , X-Mate, Male-X, and Venerate."
Gass gives a short explanation of each product: "Crytrack is our cutting-edge pheromone trap and monitoring system helps track FCM populations in real time, enabling early detection and targeted intervention. This data-driven approach empowers farmers to act before the infestation spreads. X-Mate is pheromone-based mating disruption solution prevents male moths from locating females, thereby reducing reproduction and keeping FCM populations under control, without harming beneficial insects. Male-X is a powerful complementary solution to X-Mate. This product works by attracting and killing male moths using pheromone lures combined with insecticide-treated grids. This targeted action provides an additional layer of suppression, especially in high-pressure zones or early infestation phases. And finally; Venerate. This is a powerful biopesticide based on Burkholderia spp., Venerate is highly effective against FCM eggs and early larval stages (L1 & L2). Its mode of action weakens and kills larvae before they penetrate the fruit, adding a crucial layer of protection."
According to him, these tools are already being deployed successfully across multiple African regions and adapted to various climatic conditions, "thanks to our collaboration with local experts and partners like Insect Science."
Conclusion: Time to Act for the Future of African Agriculture
Gass stresses that the fight against False Codling Moth is not just a technical challenge, "it's a matter of preserving Africa's agricultural reputation, protecting farmer livelihoods, and ensuring access to key export markets. Through innovative solutions like Crytrack and Male-X, and with support from scientific partners and farmer training, we can build a resilient and pest-free future for African agriculture."
For more information
Benjamin Gass
Éléphant Vert
Email: [email protected]
www.elephant-vert.com