Abstract
AbstractCacoecimorpha pronubana (Hübner, [1799]) and Epiphyas postvittana (Walker, 1863) are economically important polyphagous pest species. The larvae of these moths affect a wide range of horticultural crops. We evaluated the seasonal abundance and population dynamics of these two species, hypothesising that both species of moth exhibit similar patterns in their seasonal abundance and respond to abiotic factors. The study was carried out on a wide range of protected ornamental crops grown on a total area of 1 ha at a commercial nursery. The study was completed over five consecutive years from 2015 to 2019, where both populations were monitored weekly during the months of moth activity, from April to November, using sex pheromone traps to trap the males of both species. The timing and abundance of catches were analysed in relation to local meteorological data. The mean yearly abundance of adult males was 604 ± 23.89 (mean ± SE; C. pronubana) and 1706 ± 167.18 (E. postvittana) also differing significantly between years for both species. There was no influence of any weather measures on the abundance of E. postvittana, but sunshine duration (4.84 ± 0.26 hr) and temperature (13.04 ± 0.57°C) affected the mean seasonal abundance of C. pronubana. There was an overall difference in the seasonal pattern of abundance between the species studied. While we demonstrate a seasonal abundance difference between years for C. pronubana, we found no significant seasonal differences for E. postvittana. Improved understanding of seasonal abundance, phenological patterns and inter‐seasonal variations in population dynamics of these two species may be useful in developing forecasting models that can be used in improving integrated pest management strategies for these two pests.
Highlights
The carnation tortrix moth (CTM), Cacoecimorpha pronubana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and the light brown apple moth (LBAM), Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) are economically important pest species affecting a wide range of horticultural crops (Fisher, 1923; Speyer, 1938; Beitia et al, 2016; New, 2016)
This study analysed the seasonal abundance of two herbivorous pest moth species, CTM and LBAM, in an ornamental crop habitat over a five year study in relation to precipitation, sunshine duration and temperature
An increase in CTM abundance, tended to appear on average 1 or 2 weeks earlier than the increase of LBAM abundance, which is consistent with previous studies (Fisher, 1923; Gratwick, 1992; Fountain & Cross, 2007; Suckling & Brockerhoff, 2010)
Summary
The carnation tortrix moth (CTM), Cacoecimorpha pronubana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and the light brown apple moth (LBAM), Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) are economically important pest species affecting a wide range of horticultural crops (Fisher, 1923; Speyer, 1938; Beitia et al, 2016; New, 2016). The objective of this study was to evaluate the seasonal abundance of two species of moth, CTM and LBAM in relation to rainfall, sunshine duration and temperature during a 5-year study period. We hypothesised that both species would exhibit similar phenological population patterns, in terms of seasonal abundance both within and between seasons, and that the pattern of abundance for both species would be significantly affected by the three abovementioned abiotic factors. Results from this study may be useful in developing forecasting models, which in turn would be useful within integrated pest management programmes for these two herbivorous species in the ornamental crop habitats
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
