It normally presents 3 to 5 generations per year depending on the climatic conditions and the host plant, in some areas there might be even more. The first adults coming from overwintering larvae start flying in spring. The females usually lay 150-200 eggs.  First larvae feed on mealybugs molasses found in the host plant. Larvae from advanced instars superficially gnaw the fruits and may penetrate them, making fruit unmarketable. Damaged fruit change precociously of color and fall to the ground prematurely. They can also attack the flowers of the crop devouring petals and stamens.

Nowadays, the strategy normally applied to control this species is based on chemical treatments. Nevertheless, the products used are not highly effective for its management. Therefore, mating disruption is recommended  as an alternative tool for the control of this species. 

This technique consists of creating a saturated atmosphere with sex pheromone of the target insect to confuse males and therefore avoid mating between individuals.

The product CRYPTOTEC is a dispenser comprising (Z)-11-hexadecenal and (Z)-13-octadecenal. These two compounds are described as the sex pheromone of  C. gnidiella.

The dispenser is a plastic vial with the liquid pheromone inside. The material of the vial is permeable to the vapors and allows the emission of the product at a controlled rate. In regular weather conditions, the persistence of the dispenser is 180 days approximately. This lifetime may be reduced at high temperatures and/or strong winds.

• Dispensers should be placed in the field a few days before the flight of the insect. 

• Each dispenser should be hung in a branch in the upper third of the tree.

• The number of dispensers/ha recommended is 300-400/ha depending on the crop and cultivar. In kaki it is recommended to place 300-400 dispensers/ha depending on the pest pressure. In those cases where mating disruption is applied for first time, it is recommended to put 400 units/ha. In pomegranate, the number of dispensers/ha is 300 in non sensitive varieties such as Wonderful or Mollar and 400/ha in sensitive varieties like Acco or Smith. In vineyard it is recommended to place 400 dispensers/ha.

• It is recommended to monitor the species by the positioning of 1-2 delta traps per hectare with the corresponding monitoring dispenser (CRYPTOLAB). Monitoring dispensers should be replaced every 45 days.

• Traps should be checked periodically in order to control pest pressure and also confirm the proper functioning of the technique.

• Also regular assessments of damage should be carried out. Depending on the number of catches observed in the monitoring traps as well as the level of damage, it might be considered necessary the application of an additional treatment.

The dispensers CRYPTOTEC are supplied in parcels with 50 and 200 units. The material of the packaging is impermeable to the vapors of the product.

It is recommended to keep the product in its original packaging, unopened in the freezer until ready to use. Under these conditions the product can be stored for at least two years.

Avoid cutting, perforating and opening the dispensers. With the usual handling of the product, there is no risk of toxicity on people, animals or plants. The product is a dispenser that emits to the air vapors of the active substance at a low and controlled rate. For the same reason, risk of water and soil pollution may be excluded.

It is recommended to use gloves in the handling of the dispensers.

The dispensers used and their packaging have to be managed according to current legislation for residues disposal.