Field and Laboratory Responses of Male Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to a Pheromone-Based Attract-and-Kill Strategy

Abstract

A case study of a pheromone-based attract-and-kill management strategy for codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), was conducted to examine key insect behavioral factors mitigating the possible effectiveness of this strategy. Last Call CM is a newly registered attracticide product that combines the primary component of codling moth sex pheromone with the insecticide permethrin. Studies of competition between pheromone point sources within caged trees showed individual attracticide droplets were signiÞcantly more attractive to male moths than calling females. In commercial orchard blocks, marked male moths were recaptured after visiting attracticide droplets applied at rates of 50, 100, and 200 droplets/ha, although no marked moths were recaptured in plots with 500 droplets/ha. This experiment also revealed no signiÞcant differences among 0, 50, 100, and 200 droplets/ha in suppressing total catch in female-baited traps, nor were total numbers of females attracting at least one male reduced signiÞcantly. In plots with 500 droplets/ha applied, male moth catch was suppressed signiÞcantly compared with catches in untreated control plots, and the number of females attracting at least one male was reduced signiÞcantly as well. Experiments investigating sublethal physiological effects of attracticide exposure upon mating competency of male codling moths demonstrated male leg autotomy at 1, 24, 48, and 72 h after exposure. Male codling moth at 1, 24, 48, and 72 h after exposure placed near calling virgin females exhibited signiÞcant behavioral differences from sham-treated males in courtship and mating. These results clarify some of the possible mechanisms, and strengths and weaknesses of this attract-and-kill management strategy for codling moth.

Higher Densities of Distributed Pheromone Sources Provide Disruption of Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Superior to That of Lower Densities of Clumped Sources

“…tive alternative mating disruption formulation for codling moth that can be machine-applied. The addition of insecticides to this formulation might enhance efÞcacy through removal of attracted males (Krupke et al 2002).…”

Sex Pheromones and Their Impact on Pest Management

“…Studies of competition have shown that attracticide droplets are more attractive to male moths than calling females, and that the number of point sources is key to the ability of males to locate calling females (Krupke et al 2002). Commercial applications require applications of 3,000 droplets per ha.…”

Initial Development of an Attracticide Formulation Against the Oriental Fruit Moth, <I>Grapholita molesta</I> (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

“…"Attract and Kill" technology that incorporates an attractant and a killing agent (attracticide) has been investigated against several lepidopteran pests. To date, lepidopteran attracticides have combined synthetic sex pheromones with pyrethroid insecticides that achieve a rapid knockdown effect (Butler and Las 1983, Haynes et al 1986, Miller et al 1990, Downham et al 1995, Charmillot et al 1996, Charmillot and Hofer 1997, Charmillot et al 2000, Krupke et al 2002. A recent attracticide formulation consists of a viscous paste that incorporates insecticide and attractant material in a UV sensitive carrier material (Hofer and Brassel 1992).…”

“…This formulation has been registered for use against the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidopatera: Tortricidae), in the United States under the trade name LastCall CM (IPM Tech, Portland OR). Success of LastCall CM (Charmillot et al 2000, Krupke et al 2002 and preliminary lab and Þeld experimentation of this formulation against the light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in New Zealand suggests it is a technology that could be extended to other tortricid pests.…”