Pawpaws have an EXTREMELY long tap root and (under normal circumstances) are able to mine their own nutrients. And since their pollinator is only attracted by the foul odors of manure, rotting flesh, and the Pawpaw’s own nasty smelling flowers, a “traditional” guild will offer little to no benefit.
The rare and beautiful Zebra Swallowtail butterfly owes its existence to the equally unique Pawpaw tree because it is the only place it will lay its larvae. However, other than some leaf eating, it does no real damage to the tree. Another pest, the Pawpaw Webworm (Omphalocera munroei) may appear in the fall, but like the rare Zebra butterfly, any damage it causes is also more cosmetic in nature.
Neither are the usual garden pests a significant burden for the Pawpaw due to its natural built-in defenses: “Pawpaw plants produce natural compounds in their leaf, bark, and twig tissue that has high anti-pesticidal properties. Because of this natural defense, and because pests that are attracted to the plant rarely do significant damage, treating pawpaw pests is generally unnecessary.“
However, the Talponia plummeriana moth is a concern. The moth larvae eat the fleshy parts of the Pawpaw bloom, killing the flower as they then tunnel through gbe peduncle and into the branch… hence no fruit production. I hope to never encounter this nasty pest once my Pawpaws begin to flower. Death to all borers and bountiful harvest to all. 👍
