Sapodilla Seed borer, Trymalitis margarias Meyrick: An invasive or indigenous species?

The present study reports the pathway of the likelihood entry, establishment and spread of a micro-lepidopteran, Trymalitis margarias Meyrick (Lepidoptera:Tortricidae), commonly known as sapodilla seed borer, into India from Sri Lanka. It was an accidental introduction through infested fruits of sapodilla, Manilkara achras (Mill.). The historical data on species description along with environmental compatibility, host plant availability of origin and destination habitats, survivability of larvae of T. margarias during transport were considered as criterian to evaluate the likelihood of pathway. In view of the extensive sapodilla cultivation and internal fruit shipment, the potential of this invasive species to spread within the country is discussed in detail.