Control of summer fruit tortrix moth, Adoxophyes reticulana, by an experimental "attract and kill" formulation.

Abstract

The summer fruit tortrix moth, Adoxophyes reticulana Hubner is a major pest of fruit crops, particularly apple and pear, in temperate regions. Pheromonal control of summer fruit tortrix moth, Adoxophyes reticulana, by an experimental “attract and kill” formulation were carried out during year 2008 at the Fruit Research Station Cluj, Romania. The experimental product formulated by the researchers of the Chemical Research Institute Raluca Ripan-Romania, contains the pheromone of the summer fruit tortrix moth (the sex pheromone is a blend 9:1 of (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate) and a synthetic piretroid insecticide (cyfluthrin) in order to be compatible with the attract and kill biotechnique. The experimental product was applied in a rate of 4000 droplets per hectare with a hand operated pump dispenser. Field trial in 2008 of the experimental product was conducted in pear orchard, organized for experimental trials. Field trial in 2008 showed that this environmental friendly strategy can compete with the conventional spray application of insecticides and can provide a good alternative for Adoxophyes reticulana control in integrated pest management and fruit growing.