The Pear Tiger - Stephanitis piri

Who is the pear tree tiger?

Originally from Asia, the pear tiger has gradually established itself in Europe where it is now causing significant damage to pear orchards.

Situation in France

In France, the pear tiger is a well-established pest in most pear-growing regions. Its presence is particularly notable in the south-eastern regions, where climatic conditions are favourable to its development. It has also been reported in other parts of the country, including Île-de-France and Normandy. Damage is often more severe in hot, dry years, when insect populations can proliferate rapidly. French orchardists must carefully monitor their orchards, as uncontrolled infestation can significantly reduce yields and affect fruit quality. Integrated management strategies, including monitoring, chemical and biological treatments, are often necessary to maintain populations of this insect at acceptable levels.

How to recognize the pear tiger?

The pear tiger ( Stephanitis piri ) is a small insect, measuring between 3 and 4 millimeters in length. Its body is relatively flattened, which allows it to easily hide under the leaves of pear trees. One of the most distinctive features of this insect is the structure of its wings, which are transparent and marbled with black spots. These wings are widely extended on the sides of the body and have a reticulated texture, reminiscent of a kind of fine lace. The body of the pear tiger is beige to light brown in color, which provides it with excellent camouflage on the underside of the leaves. The head is broad and has long, threadlike antennae, which are used to explore the environment and detect host plants. The eyes are dark in color, contrasting with the rest of the body. The larvae, although smaller, have a completely different appearance. They are black to brown, with an oval and flattened body, and are covered with prickly hairs that give them a rough appearance. These spines help protect the larvae from predators. The larvae go through several stages of development, during which they molt and increase in size before reaching the adult stage. The damage caused by the pear tiger is also a way to identify it. The attacked leaves show light spots and eventually dry out. This is due to the insect sucking the sap, which gradually weakens the tree.

Affected plants

The pear tiger moth mainly attacks pear trees ( Pyrus spp.). However, it can also attack other fruit trees such as apple trees ( Malus spp.) and, in rare cases, other plant species.

Impact on crops

Stephanitis piri infestations can cause significant weakening of trees, reducing the quality and quantity of fruit produced. Attacked leaves become spotted, discolored and eventually drop prematurely.

Biological cycle

The biological cycle of the tiger pear tree includes several stages:

1. Eggs

Females lay their eggs on the underside of leaves, often near the veins. The eggs overwinter and hatch the following spring.

2. Larvae

After hatching, the larvae immediately begin feeding on the leaf blades, causing visible damage. They go through several larval stages before transforming into adults.

3. Adults

Adults, recognizable by their flat appearance and transparent wings marbled with black, continue to feed on the leaves. They are active from spring to autumn, with several generations per year depending on climatic conditions.

Treatment

Tiger pear management requires an integrated approach:

1. Monitoring

Regular monitoring of orchards is essential to detect infestations early. Yellow sticky traps can be used to monitor adult populations.

2. Cultural methods

Removing fallen leaves and other plant debris can reduce the number of overwintering sites for eggs. Proper pruning to allow trees to breathe can also limit infestations.

3. Chemical treatments

In case of severe infestation, specific insecticides can be used. However, their application must be done with caution to avoid harming pollinators and other beneficial insects.

4. Nematode treatment

An effective biological method is to use entomopathogenic nematodes, which parasitize the larvae of the pear tiger. These nematodes are applied to trees in spring, when the larvae are active. This approach is environmentally friendly and safe for other beneficial organisms.