Control of oriental fruit moth (Cydia molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae)) with synthetic female pheromone

Abstract Field trials were undertaken in Victoria and New South Wales, Australia, to discover whether synthetic sex pheromone, cis-8-dodecenyl acetate, could be used to control the oriental fruit moth, Cydia molesta (Busck), in peach orchards by the disruption technique. When pheromone was released at rates exceeding 5 mg/ha h from polyethylene capillary tubes males were generally unable to locate synthetic pheromone sources or live virgin females. By maintaining a constant rate of release per unit area it was possible to reduce the number of dispensers from one per 50 m2 to one per 400 m2. There was no significant difference in disruption when pheromone was released from tree crowns at 3·5 m or lower down at 1·5 m. Shoot and fruit damage from trials in commercial orchards suggested that pheromone treatments were as effective as a full seasonal schedule of insecticide applications in reducing damage.