Arthropod abundance in an Australian apple orchard under mating disruption and supplementary insecticide treatments for codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The impacts of three codling moth management strategies (i, mating disruption alone; ii, mating disruption plus azinphos-methyl; iii, mating disruption plus fenoxycarb) on some secondary pests and their natural enemies in an apple orchard were compared over two growing seasons: 1993/1994 and 1994/1995. In the absence of azinphos-methyl (strategies i and iii), two-spotted mite ( Tetranychus urticae ) was controlled by Typhlodromus occidentalis and populations of generalist predators (e.g. ladybirds, lacewings and earwigs) increased. The populations of a parasitoid of woolly aphid ( Eriosoma lanigerum ), Aphelinus mali, also increased but not enough to provide adequate control of the aphid. Combined damage caused by lightbrown apple moth ( Epiphyas postvittana ), budworms ( Helicoverpa spp.) and San José scale ( Quadraspidiotus perniciosus ) was significantly higher in the absence of azinphos-methyl in 1994/1995. Beneficial insect populations were not suppressed by fenoxycarb. In 1994/1995, mating disruption plus fenoxycarb produced better control of E. postvittana than mating disruption alone. During transition to an apple integrated pest management program based on codling moth mating disruption, fenoxycarb was shown to be less disruptive to any natural control of secondary pests than azinphos-methyl.     

Abundance and natural control of the woolly aphid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eriosoma lanigerum</Emphasis> in an Australian apple orchard IPM program

Woolly aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), was monitored over three growing seasons (1995--1998) to assess its abundance and management under apple IPM programs at Bathurst on the Central Tablelands of NSW, Australia. Woolly aphid infestations were found to be extremely low in IPM programs utilising mating disruption and fenoxycarb for codling moth Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) control. This was the direct result of increased numbers of natural enemies. No insecticides were applied for woolly aphid control. Under the IPM strategies tested the principal control agent was identified as European earwig (Forficula auricularia L.) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae). Earwigs in combination with Aphelinus mali (Haldeman) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) reduced woolly aphid infestations below the action threshold set by commercial growers. However, A. mali together with other flying natural enemies, e.g., ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies, did not provide commercially acceptable control of woolly aphid in the absence of earwigs. Under the conventional spray program, using the broad-spectrum insecticide azinphos-methyl for codling moth control, the level of woolly aphid infestation increased with each successive season and biological control was not established. When azinphos-methyl was withdrawn, natural enemies migrated in and provided control of woolly aphid within one season. This is the first study to show that the biological control of woolly aphid can be achieved in a commercially viable IPM program.     

Overwintering of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) larvae in apple harvest bins and subsequent moth emergence.

Codling moths, Cydia pomonella (L.), have long been suspected of emerging from stacks of harvest bins in the spring and causing damage to nearby apple and pear orchards. With increased use of mating disruption for codling moth control, outside sources of infestation have become more of a concern for growers using pheromone based mating disruption systems. Studies were designed to provide information on bins as a source of codling moth and the pattern of codling moth emergence from stacks of bins. In these studies, codling moth larvae colonized wood harvest bins at a much higher frequency than harvest bins made of injection molded plastic (189 moths emerged from wood compared with five from plastic). There was no statistical difference in the number of moths infesting bins that had been filled with infested fruit compared with bins left empty at harvest. This suggests that codling moth enter the bins during the time that the bins are in the orchard before harvest. Emergence of laboratory reared adult codling moth from wood bins placed in stacks was found to be prolonged compared with field populations. Temperature differences within the bin stacks accounted for this attenuated emergence pattern. Covering bin stacks with clear plastic accelerated codling moth development in the upper levels of the stack. Codling moth emergence patterns from plastic-covered stacks more closely coincided with male flight in field populations. This information could be important in developing a technique for neutralizing codling moth-infested bins, and in understanding how infested bins may influence pest management in fruit orchards that are located near bin piles. Implications for control of codling moth in conventional orchards and in those using mating disruption as the principal component of an integrated pest management system include increased numbers of treatments directed at areas affected by infested bins.     

Field evaluation of the effects of the insect growth regulator tebufenozide on entomophagous arthropods and pests of apples

Organophosphate insecticides are very widely used in commercial apple production to control fruit-attacking pests but their broad-spectrum activity constrains biological control of other pests. Compounds with narrow-spectrum activity are therefore desirable. The insect growth regulator (IGR) tebufenozide was compared with another IGR, fenoxycarb, and the organophosphate, azinphos-methyl, in a replicated field trial in the 1994/1995 apple-production season. Vacuum sampling of the tree foliage on five occasions during the growing season showed significantly lower populations of various natural enemies (spiders, lacewings and the specialist mite predator Stethorus spp. adults and larvae) in the azinphos-methyl treatment than in either of the two IGR treatments. The two-spotted mite ( Tetranychus urticae Koch) was most numerous in the azinphos-methyl treatment. In 1995/1996, the entire trial area was placed under a tebufenozide treatment program to determine the extent to which natural enemy populations would recover when broad-spectrum insecticide (azinphos-methyl) use was halted. Populations of polyphagous natural enemies assumed levels broadly equivalent to those observed under IGR treatments the previous year. Numbers of Stethorus spp. were lower than in the 1994/1995 season, possibly because T. urticae (prey) populations were much reduced from the previous season's densities. All three insecticide treatments were equally effective in controlling the lepidopteran pests, codling moth ( Cydia pomonella (L.)), lightbrown apple moth ( Epiphyas postvittana (Walker)) and early season caterpillars (predominantly Helicoverpa punctigera (Wallengren)). Results indicate that tebufenozide provides good control of lepidopteran pests, while allowing the rapid build-up of natural enemies which contribute to control of other pests.     

Resistance to the pink potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, in two accessions of Lycopersicon hirsutum f. glabratum

An integrated programme of pheromone-mediated mating disruption using Isomate-C®, post-harvest removal of fruit, and trapping overwintering larvae with cardboard tree bands, was used to control codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in four commercial organic apple orchards in Cawston, British Columbia during 1989–1992. One application of 1000 dispensers ^{– 1} on May 1 delivered estimated seasonal totals of 16.6, 16.5 and 19.9 g of E,E-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol [=codlemone] ^{– 1}in 1990, 1991 and 1992, respectively, at median rates of 8.4, 8.3, and 13.3 mg · < ha^–1 · ha^–1 during dusk flight periods of first brood and 5.3, 4.7 and 4.6 mg · ^{– 1}· ha^–1 in second brood, respectively. Over this 3-year period damage from codling moth at harvest ranged from 0.08 to 2.4%, and averaged 60.7% in these four organic orchards, while damage in five conventional orchards receiving sprays of azinphosmethyl ranged from 0.02 to 1.85%, and averaged 0.5%. Damage in an experimental orchard that was banded only, ranged from 43.5 to 56.7%, and averaged 48.9%. Between 1990 and 1992 cumulative male catches in Pherocon 1-CP wing traps baited with 10 mg of codlemone declined by 52% and densities of overwintering codling moth larvae declined an average of 49.5% in all organic orchards. Overwintering populations in the banded experimental orchard showed an increase of 57.7% during this study period. We conclude that an integrated programme of pheromone-mediated mating disruption, post-harvest fruit removal and tree banding, controls codling moth effectively enough to make organic apple production viable in British Columbia.     

Attract and kill: a new method for control of the codling moth Cydia pomonella

The attract and kill technique has been formulated in a product under the trade name `Sirene CM®'. It consists of a viscous paste containing 0.16% codlemone to attract the male moths and 6.0% permethrin to kill them. The formulation is applied by hand twice per season using a specially developed system which can be calibrated for application of the paste to the host plant in small droplets of either 100 l or 50 l. Between 1995 and 1997, 15 trials on control of the codling moth were conducted in isolated orchards in the Lake Geneva region. In each plot, depending on tree size, two applications varying between 52 and 537 g ha^–1 of Sirene CM were made. In 14 trials, the larval attack of the codling moth on fruit was below the economic threshold of 1% and the hibernating population stayed at a low level. One single plot (0.4 ha) had to be treated with a curative spray in 1995, because the initial population was much too high. According to the reductions in trap catch and of mating frequency measured by tethered codling moth females, efficiency of the attract and kill droplets lasted 5–7 weeks, after which it decreased slowly.     

Effects of azinphos-methyl and pyrifenox on reproductive performance of Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) at recommended rates and lower concentrations

The effects of deposits of commercial formulations of azinphos-methyl, an organophosphorous insecticide and acaricide, and pyrifenox, a systemic fungicide, on artificial surfaces on the survival and reproductive performance of codling moth adults, Cydia pomonella L., were examined in the laboratory. In contrast to pyrifenox, which did not influence the codling moth significantly, azinphos-methyl affected the insect in a number of ways: (1) it exhibited a strong direct insecticidal activity on adults, eggs and larvae; (2) at low concentrations, it decreased copulation significantly, as reflected by a reduction in the number of spermatophores contained per female; and it inhibited oviposition strongly; (3) at low concentrations moths copulated more often initially and produced more eggs than the controls. However, if the moths were kept in contact with the azinphos-methyl residues, they and their progeny died the following day so that the total number of eggs laid was reduced. Possible implications of the stimulatory effects, as well as repellency, of combined use of azinphos-methyl in the phermone mating disruption technique are discussed.     

Resistance of Spanish codling moth (Cydia pomonella) populations to insecticides and activity of detoxifying enzymatic systems

Resistance of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), to insecticides has become a major problem in many apple and pear production areas. Our aim was to determine the level of insecticide resistance in Spanish field populations. Seven field populations collected from apple, Malus domestica Borkhausen (Rosaceae), orchards, and three laboratory susceptible strains of codling moth were studied. Damage at harvest in all the conventional orchards from which codling moth populations were collected was higher than the economic threshold. The efficacy of eight insecticides, with five modes of action, was evaluated by topical application of the diagnostic concentrations on post‐diapausing larvae. The enzymatic activity of mixed‐function oxidases (MFOs), glutathione transferases (GSTs), and esterases (ESTs) was evaluated for each population. The susceptibility to insecticides and the biochemical activity of the three laboratory strains and one organic orchard population were not significantly different. Field populations were less susceptible to the tested insecticides than the susceptible strains, especially for azinphos‐methyl, diflubenzuron, fenoxycarb, and phosalone. The efficacy of all insecticides was significantly dependent on the activity of MFOs. Only the toxicity of the three insecticides most used in Spain when the populations were collected (azinphos‐methyl, fenoxycarb, and phosalone) was also dependent on the activity of ESTs and GSTs activity. We conclude that the control failures were because of the existence of populations resistant to the main insecticides used.     

Potential of high‐density pheromone‐releasing microtraps for control of codling moth Cydia pomonella and obliquebanded leafroller Choristoneura rosaceana

Recent large‐cage studies with codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) reveal that the removal of moths from an apple orchard using pheromone‐releasing traps is more effective at reducing capture in a central monitoring trap than is a mating disruption protocol without kill/capture. The present study uses open orchard 0.2‐ha plots comparing a high‐density trapping scenario with mating disruption to confirm those results. Two tortricid moth pests of tree fruit are studied: codling moth and obliquebanded leafroller Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris). Codling moth treatments include Isomate CM FLEX (ShinEtsu Ltd, Japan), nonsticky traps baited with Trécé CM lures (Trécé, Inc., Adair, Oklahoma), and sticky traps baited with Trécé CM lures, all at equal application rates of 500 dispensers ha^?1, as well as a no pheromone control. These microtraps are of a novel design, small and easy to apply, and potentially inexpensive to produce. Mating disruption using Isomate CM FLEX and nonsticky traps reduces codling moth capture in standard monitoring traps by 58% and 71%, respectively. The attract‐and‐remove treatment with sticky traps reduces capture by 92%. Obliquebanded leafroller treatments include Isomate OBLR/PLR Plus and Pherocon IIB microtraps baited with Trécé OBLR lures, both applied at 500 dispensers ha^?1, as well as a no pheromone control. Mating disruption reduces capture in monitoring traps by 69%. The attract‐and‐remove treatment reduces capture by 85%. Both studies suggest that an attract‐and‐remove approach has the potential to provide superior control of moth populations compared with that achieved by mating disruption operating by competitive attraction.     

Control of Cydia pomonella L. and Cydia molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera Tortricidae) in pome-fruit orchards with Ecodian sex pheromone dispensers

A mating disruption approach using high densities of pheromone dispensers, has been recently proposed for codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), and oriental fruit moth, Cydia molesta (Busck.), (Lepidoptera Tortricidae), control. Ecodian Star dispensers, made of low-cost biodegradable material and easy to apply, were formulated with 10 mg of codlemone (E8,E10-12OH) and 10 mg of grapamone (Z8-12OH) and placed at a rate of 1,400-2,000 dispensers/ha. The pheromone release rates from new and field aged dispensers were evaluated by hexane extraction of the residual attractant (indirectly) and gas-chromatographic analysis. The release rate of field-aged dispensers decreased over time with a good linearity; they released a significant amount of synthetic sex pheromones over the entire season. Dispensers elicited close-range approaches of codling moth males in wind tunnel irrespective of their age. Field trials carried out from 2003 to 2004 confirmed the efficacy of Ecodian Star dispensers for codling moth and oriental fruit moth control, regardless the size of the treated area. Our results demonstrate that Ecodian dispensers achieved a good level of activity and longevity over the season. The potential of this strategy for the control of the moths is discussed.     

苹果蠹蛾性信息素缓释剂的控害效果

2010年在甘肃、宁夏、黑龙江3地对苹果蠹蛾Cydia pomonella(L.)性信息素缓释剂(购自澳大利亚Bioglobal公司;性信息素含量为0.16g/根)对苹果蠹蛾的迷向防治效果进行了试验;观察了不同生态区设置不同缓释剂密度的防治效果和持效期。结果表明,在低虫口密度下,在不同生态区每公顷悬挂660、990和1320根性信息素迷向丝,均能取得较好的防治效果;在越冬代活动前处理,基本上可以控制整个生长期苹果蠹蛾对果实的为害。在新侵入的低密度果园,通过诱蛾监测、调查蛀果和树干绑诱虫带等验证方法,初步证明使用该性信息素缓释剂处理1年可以达到铲除的效果。依据本研究结果,结合防治成本,在苹果蠹蛾发生地区,采用660根/hm2的悬挂密度使用进口性信息素缓释剂处理果园可以达到良好的防治效果。     

Comparison of delayed female mating on reproductive biology of codling moth and obliquebanded leafroller

Delay of mating was examined as a possible mechanism for population decreases associated with mating disruption for codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., and obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). We examined the effect of delaying female mating 0, 2, 4, or 6 d while holding male age constant on life table parameters of both species. We found that increasing delays in mating were accompanied by two responses: (1) an increase in the percentage of sterile pairs and (2) a reduction in net reproductive rate and population growth unrelated to sterility. On a percentage basis, obliquebanded leafroller population growth was more strongly affected than codling moth. However, the net fertility rate of obliquebanded leafroller was nearly eight-fold higher than that of codling moth, so that obliquebanded leafroller females that experienced a 4-d delay in mating had nearly the same reproductive rate as codling moth females that experienced no delay. Leslie matrix simulations using life tables with field-based adult longevity estimates showed that codling moth females experiencing >2-d delay in mating resulted in decreases in population density or extinction within two generations. In contrast, obliquebanded leafroller females delayed <6 d showed rapid population growth that decreased as female age at mating increased; only the 6-d delay treatment resulted in decreased population levels. Our results indicate that obliquebanded leafroller females must on average experience a much longer delay in mating to significantly reduce population growth compared with codling moth females, suggesting that delay of mating likely plays a greater role in codling moth mating disruption than for obliquebanded leafroller.     

Spectral characteristics of phytochrome in vivo and in vitro

The absorption maximum of the far-red absorbing form of phytochrome in the difference spectrum for phototransformation (Pfr max) was investigated in vivo and in in vitro pellets from dark grown Hordeum vulgare L. primary leaves. Exposure of pellets in Honda medium from tissue pre-irradiated with red light to far red light gave a Pfr max of 734 nm, a slightly longer wavelength than was seen in vivo (730 nm). After incubation as the red absorbing form of phytochrome (Pr) for 2 h at 0° C irradiation with red light showed that Pfr max had shifted to shorter wavelength (716 nm) in Honda medium. Further incubation as Pfr for 2 h at 0° C and irradiation with far red light showed that Pfr max had shifted to longer wavelength (726 nm). Similar shifts were also seen in other media, although the peak positions were different. Phytochrome remained pelletable throughout these experiments and Pfr max is compared to that of soluble phytochrome in similar media. The results are interpreted as indicating changes in molecular environment of the putative phytochrome membrane receptor site and that Pfr max can be used to probe the nature of this binding.Abbreviations D Dark - EDTA Ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid - F far red light - MOPS N-morpholino-3-propane-sulphonic acid - P Phytochrome - Pr red absorbing form of P - Pfr far red absorbing form of P - Pfr max wavelength maximum of Pfr absorbance in a phototransformation difference spectrum - R red light     

Improvement of the sterile insect technique for codling moth Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera Tortricidae) to facilitate expansion of field application

The codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera Tortricidae) is a key pest of pome fruit (apple, pear and quince) and walnut orchards in most temperate regions of the world. Efforts to control the codling moth in the past mostly relied on the use of broad spectrum insecticide sprays, which has resulted in the development of insecticide resistance, and the disruption of the control of secondary pests. In addition, the frequent reliance and use of these insecticides are a constant threat to the environment and human health. Consequently, there have been increased demands from the growers for the development of codling moth control tactics that are not only effective but also friendly to the environment. In that respect, the sterile insect technique (SIT) and its derivative, inherited sterility (IS), are, together with mating disruption and granulosis virus, among the options that offer great potential as cost‐effective additions to available control tactics for integration in area‐wide integrated pest‐management approaches. In support of the further development of the SIT/IS for codling moth control, the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture implemented a 5‐year Coordinated Research Project (CRP) entitled ‘Improvement of codling moth SIT to facilitate expansion of field application’. Research focussed on sterile codling moth quality and management (e.g. mobility and life‐history traits in relation to rearing strategy, dispersal, flight ability, radiosensitivity and mating compatibility) and a better understanding of the basic genetics of codling moth to assist the development of genetic sexing strains (e.g. cytogenetics, the development of dominant conditional lethal mutations, molecular characterization of the sex chromosomes, sex identification in embryos and cytogenetic markers). The results of the CRP are presented in this special issue.     

Potential for outbreaks of leafrollers (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in California apple orchards using mating disruption for codling moth suppression

Two species of leafrollers, Argyrotaenia citrana (Fernald) and Pandemis pyrusana Kearfott, represent serious obstacles to the implementation of mating disruption for control of codling moth in coastal California apple orchards. Larval and adult densities of A. citrana and P. pyrusana and subsequent fruit damage were compared under different codling moth control treatments. Leafroller larval counts and levels of fruit damage were significantly higher in most plots that were untreated or treated only with codling moth pheromone. Leafroller fruit damage levels in these plots were commonly between 10 and 15% at harvest. As summer larval counts were good predictors of fruit damage levels, larval sampling could be a useful tool for predicting leafroller outbreaks. Use of pheromone trapping for A. citrana to detect localized outbreaks within an orchard was not useful and failed to correlate with larval numbers, whereas adult monitoring for P. pyrusana appears more promising. Efforts to implement a codling moth mating-disruption program in California must include changes in strategies for monitoring and controlling leafroller species.     

Diapause induction in the codling moth, Cydia pomonella: effect of larval diet

The effect of larval diet on diapause induction in the Israeli strain of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), was studied in a field trial using intact apple fruits of two varieties: Ana (early-ripening, in the end of June) and Granny Smith (late-ripening, in October). Diapause incidence increased as fruit age (determined as days from fruit-set) progressed. These results corroborate former studies on other strains of the codling moth, where excised fruits were used.The combination of 80-day-old, fully ripe, Ana fruit treatment with the longest days of the year, yielded 38% diapause. This result demonstrates that mature fruit (inducing diapause) cannot completely override the effect of long day (averting diapause), but does confirm that larval diet modifies the photoperiodic induction of diapause in the codling moth.Deceased, October 1988     

Insecticidal resistance and cross-resistance in populations of Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in central Europe

Insecticide bioassays were used to investigate resistance of Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to insecticides with various types of active ingredients. The efficacy baselines of selected insect growth regulators (fenoxycarb), insect growth inhibitors (diflubenzuron and teflubenzuron), organophoshorous insecticides (phosalone), and neonicotinoids (thiacloprid) against the eggs and first and fifth instars of sensitive laboratory strains of codling moth were determined. According to concentration-mortality baseline, 50% lethality concentration values and 90% lethality concentration values were determined for all the tested insecticides. The lethal concentration ratio quantified the relation between the efficacy of selected insecticides against fifth instars found by topical application and against first instars found by diet-treated bioassay. No difference was detected when the efficacy of technical grade diflubenzuron diluted in tetrahydrofuran and diflubenzuron in the formulated product Dimilin 48 SC diluted in water was compared. However, just before the application of insecticide, the integument of larvae must be treated with acetone. Two bioassays were used to monitor the resistance of codling moths collected in 2003-2005 in two apple (Malus spp.) orchards with different intensities of chemical control. Resistance ratios (RRs) to the tested insecticides were determined for both field populations of codling moth. For the population of codling moth from a commercial apple orchard in Velké Bílovice, cross-resistance to fenoxycarb, teflubenzuron, and phosalone was detected after the topical application of insecticides to fifth instars. The population of codling moth from Prague-Ruzyne was slightly resistant to phosalone and teflubenzuron. No resistance to diflubenzuron was detected in either tested population.     

Pheromone pre-exposure and mating modulate codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) response to host plant volatiles

Abstract 1 Two codling moth Cydia pomonella kairomonal attractants, ethyl (E,Z)‐2,4‐decadienoate (pear ester) and (E)‐β‐farnesene, were tested in an insecticide‐sprayed apple orchard and an orchard treated for mating disruption with synthetic pheromone (E,E)‐8,10‐dodecadienol (codlemone). Male captures with pear ester were higher in the pheromone‐treated than in the insecticide‐treated orchard, whereas captures with (E)‐β‐farnesene were not different. Subsequent wind tunnel experiments confirmed that pre‐exposure to sex pheromone codlemone increased the behavioural response of codling moth males to pear ester. This supports the idea that male attraction to the plant volatile pear ester and sex pheromone codlemone is mediated through the same sensory channels. 2 Pear ester is a bisexual codling moth attractant and even captures of female moths were significantly increased in the pheromone‐treated orchard. In the laboratory wind tunnel, pheromone pre‐exposure had no effect on female response to pear ester, but significantly more mated than unmated codling moth females flew upwind towards a pear ester source. Differences in mating status in insecticide‐treated vs. pheromone‐treated orchards may thus account for the differences in female trap captures with pear ester. 3 These findings are important with respect to monitoring of codling moth with pear ester in mating disruption orchards. They also emphasize the importance of host plant volatiles in pheromone‐mediated mating disruption, which has been neglected to date.     

Mating compatibility among populations of codling moth Cydia pomonella Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from different geographic origins

The codling moth Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a serious pest of pome fruit worldwide and the sterile insect technique (SIT) provides an environmentally acceptable approach for its control. As the pest is present in both the southern and northern hemispheres it would be possible for a rearing facility in the northern hemisphere to supply sterile moths to an SIT programme in the southern hemisphere during the northern winter and vice versa. This could greatly improve the economics of moth production and the running costs of rearing facilities. However in order to develop this concept, it is important to assess if populations of codling moth from different geographical regions share mating compatibility. Twelve different laboratory and field populations from both hemispheres were sampled and field cage bisexual mating compatibility tests were carried out between selected combinations. The index of sexual isolation (ISI) and the female and male relative performance index (FRPI and MRPI, respectively) were calculated for each mating combination. In only two of the combinations was there a slight but significant deviation from random mating. There were also some significant differences in mating duration between the homotypic matings and the duration of a particular homotypic mating seemed to depend on the origin of the other population in the cage. It was concluded that there exist no barriers to mating between populations of codling moth from many parts of the world and that it would be feasible for sterile moths to be shipped from one rearing facility to SIT programmes in other parts of the world.     

Pheromone puffs suppress mating by Plodia interpunctella and Sitotroga cerealella in an infested corn store

The efficacy of pheromone mating disruption was investigated in a 7×6×3 m corn storage room harboring a high population density of Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) and Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier). Pheromones were released from a controlled release dispenser, the metered semiochemical timed release system (MSTRS^TM) at emission rates of 0.6 g min^–1 (Z9,E12:14:Ac for Indian meal moth) and 0.2 g min^–1 (Z7,E11-16:Ac for Angouimois grain moth). Mating disruption efficacy was evaluated using three parameters: male capture in pheromone traps, visual examination of mating behavior, and the incidence and frequency of mating as measured by spermatophores. In three trials, comparisons were made between data collected before pheromone treatment and during treatment. Disruption of pheromone source location by males averaged 70% and 40% for P. interpunctella and S. cerealella, respectively, in the three trials. In addition, reduced levels of copulation by both species were recorded during pheromone treatment. More importantly, significant reductions were recorded in the incidence and frequency of mating by females of both species collected during the treatment period. While 85% of P. interpunctella females collected before pheromone treatment in three trials had mated at least once, only 50% of the females collected during treatment had mated. The mean number of matings, as measured by spermatophores, ranged between 0.8–1.1 and 0.5–0.7 before and during pheromone treatment, respectively. Similarly, a 20–30% reduction in the proportion of mated S. cerealella females was recorded during pheromone treatment. In the three trials, mean number of spermatophores per S. cerealella female averaged 1.0 and 0.7 during the pretreatment and treatment periods, respectively. Additional tests conducted in small boxes also recorded significant mating disruption of both species.