CONTROL OF ORIENTAL FRUIT MOTH BY MATING DISRUPTION USING SEX-PHEROMONE IN THE NIAGARA PENINSULA, ONTARIO

Disruption of mating for control of Oriental fruit moth [Grapholita mo lesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)] using Isomate M pheromone di spensers was tested from 1987 to 1990 in the Niagara Peninsula of Onta rio. The effectiveness of pheromone was evaluated using virgin female- baited traps, synthetic pheromone-baited traps, and by inspecting samp les of twigs and fruit for evidence of G. molesta damage. No males wer e caught in virgin female-baited traps placed in pheromone-treated plo ts. Synthetic pheromone-baited trap catches of male moths were reduced by 85-100%. Pheromone provided commercially acceptable control over t wo consecutive growing seasons at a commercial farm with a relatively low density G. molesta population. Pheromone did not provide commercia lly acceptable control at an experimental farm with a relatively high density G. molesta population. The incidence of capture of males in vi rgin female baited traps, in synthetic pheromone-baited traps, and the incidence of damage to peach twigs by first- and second-generation G. molesta larvae could not be used to predict the incidence of damage t o fruit at harvest. The results suggest that pheromone-mediated mating disruption may have potential as a method for controlling the Orienta l fruit moth in orchards with relatively low density populations.