Particle films for suppression of the codling moth (Lepidoptera : Tortricidae) in apple and pear orchards

Studies were conducted in 1997 and 1998 to evaluate the effects of three pa rticle film formulations consisting of kaolin and adjuvants on neonate larv ae, ovipositing adult females, and eggs of the codling moth, Cydia pomonell a (L.). Neonate larval walking speed, fruit discovery rate, and fruit penet ration rate on apple host plants coated with particle films were significan tly lower than on host plants without particle films in laboratory assays. Females oviposited less on host plants covered with a particle him residue than on untreated plants in laboratory choice and no-choice tests. Hatch ra te of codling moth neonate larvae was unaffected by particle films sprayed on host plants either before or after oviposition. Fruit infestation rates were significantly reduced on particle aim-treated trees compared with untr eated trees for both first- and second-generation codling moth in field tri als in both apple and pear orchards. Particle alms appear to be a promising supplemental control approach for codling moth in orchards where moth dens ity is high, and may represent a stand-alone method where moth densities ar e lower.