Effect of trap height and within-planting location on captures of cranberry fruitworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in highbush blueberries

Abstract 1 Winged traps baited with synthetic sex pheromone lures (E,Z)‐8,10‐pentadecadien‐1‐ol and (E)‐9‐pentadecen‐1‐ol acetate] were evaluated for their effectiveness in monitoring cranberry fruitworm, Acrobasis vaccinii Riley, in highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L., plantings. Trap effectiveness was compared at different heights within the bush canopy and different locations within plantings. 2 In our trap height study, three positions were evaluated: (i) at the top of bush canopy (15 cm below the uppermost branch); (ii) centrally within bush canopy (60 cm below the uppermost branch); and (iii) at the bottom of the bush, 20 cm above ground level. Traps placed 15 and 60 cm below the uppermost branch captured significantly more male moths compared with traps placed 20 cm above ground level at two organic sites. 3 In our trap location study, four treatments were evaluated based on trap location relative to adjacent woodlands: (i) in trees within 1 m of the woodland boundary; (ii) in blueberry bushes adjacent to woodlands, 15 m from the woodland boundary; (iii) in blueberry bushes in the centre of the planting, 75 m from the woodland boundary; and (iv) in blueberry bushes furthest away from woodlands, 150 m from the woodland boundary. Traps located within 1 m of woodland boundary captured significantly more male moths compared with traps located centrally (15 and 75 m) within plantings.