Development of attract-and-kill technology against the oriental fruit moth in Pennsylvania apple orchards

View the project final report

• 2003 annual report

Commodities

• Fruits: apples, peaches, general tree fruits

Practices

• Crop Production: application rate management
• Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research
• Pest Management: biorational pesticides, integrated pest management
• Production Systems: holistic management
• Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures

SUMMARY An attracticide formulation, LastCall™OFM, was tested against Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in replicated small plot field trials in orchards of farmer cooperators in South Eastern Pennsylvania. LastCall™OFM treatments were applied using a calibrated hand pump and compared to similar non- treated plots. Male moth activity was monitored using virgin-female baited traps and the potential for reduction in mating activity was assessed using sentinel virgin females. A comparison of formulation application rates showed that a half rate of 1500 droplets per ha (600 per acre) was equally as effective as the recommended release rate of 3000 droplets per ha (1200 per acre) and both rates reduced capture in synthetic pheromone-baited traps for prolonged periods. Experimentation in standard tree plantings revealed an important effect of droplet placement within the tree canopy. Droplets placed either at high or low positions within the canopy significantly reduced trap capture and mating with sentinel females. However, only sentinel females located in the untreated portion of the tree canopy mated, as was reflected by a significant treatment*female interaction effect. Mate finding and mating behavior was equally disrupted by LastCall™OFM formulations with and without insecticide. Therefore, the main mechanism by which LastCall™OFM works in small plots is by disruption of male orientation and not removal of males due to insecticide poisoning. Two field cage experiments tested the impact of population density on the competitiveness of LastCall™OFM. A significant proportion of recaptured males flew to females at the highest female: droplet ratio tested. Equal proportions of recaptured males flew to the LastCall™OFM-baited traps at male moth densities of 10, 20, 40, and 80 males per cage, suggesting that more males flew to females at higher male population densities. These results clarify some of the factors influencing the effectiveness and the possible mechanisms of an attracticide management tactic against the Oriental fruit moth. This information has been disseminated to farmer cooperators verbally and in written form (receipt of final report). In addition, the information has been disseminated to a scientific audience on two occasions (Entomological Society of Alberta, October 2003; Entomological Society of America, October 2003). The data have already been submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal (Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata) read widely by professional entomologists and pest managers alike.