IBILITY IT’S YOUR RESPONS A new biocontrol agent and mass trapping of codling moth David Williams Codling moth overwinters on pome fruit trees Agriculture Victoria Research Division as hibernating mature caterpillars in cocoons Department of Economic Development, Jobs, in sheltered areas such as under bark scales Transport and Resources on the trunk. In spring, as day length and
[email protected] temperature increase, the caterpillars emerge from hibernation, enter pupation and eventually Introduction emerge as adult moths ready to mate and lay eggs. Mating disruption is designed to reduce or Changes to the types of pesticides available delay mating so that fewer eggs are laid. Although for use in fruit production, and the progress of application of sex pheromone mediated mating research into biological control of major insect disruption (MD) can be an effective alternative pests, is providing fruit growers with safer, cost- to the use of pesticides for control of low to effective and environmentally friendly options to moderate population levels of codling moth, incorporate into their pest management systems. control of moderate to high population densities is more problematic. Several consecutive seasons Codling moth (Figure 1) is the most serious pest of area-wide MD treatments are needed to control of pome fruit worldwide and the most damaging higher pest population levels. The aim of MD is to pest of commercial apple, pear, quince and nashi prevent, or at least significantly reduce, mating orchards in Australia. It is widely distributed in between the moths. However, if there are enough all Australian states except Western Australia female moths present then mating can still occur.