Determination of adult population development and infestation rate of Carob moth [Apomyelois (=Ectomyelois) ceratoniae Zell. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)] in pomegranate orchards in Şanlıurfa province

Abstract

Summary This study was performed in pomegranate orchards of Central, Siverek and Suruc County of Şanliurfa province during the 2009 and 2010 growing seasons. This is the first study on Carob moth [Apomyelois (=Ectomyelois) ceratoniae Zell. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)] in the region after commissioning Southeast Anatolia Project. Because pomegranate orchards have increased and Carob moth has been more trouble after that date. In the study, it was intended to determine first adult emergence, maximum adult flight, number of generations per year and flight activity of Carob moth in nature in Şanliurfa province. Adult population development of Carob moth was monitored using by sexual pheromone traps. The traps are monitored weekly. Infestation of Carob moth was determined by using fruit-based method which is based on controlling 100 fruits each four fruit belongs per tree. According to the results from the study, first adult flight of Carob moth began at the middle of May and adult reached a maximum 4 different time points in nature (in july, august, september and october) in both years. The adult flight of Carob moth ended at the first half of November in the pomegranate orchards. Carob moth adults were active in nature at least 6 months (from middle of May to first half of November). The infestation rate of pomegranate fruits with Carob moth in the pomegranate orchards was determined as 16-48% in 2009 and 19-46% in 2010. Key words: Carob moth, pomegranate, pheromone, population, infestation rate