EFFECT OF MATING DISRUPTION ON THE PHEROMONE TRAP CATCHES OF CODLING MOTH (CYDIA POMONELLA L.) AND FRUIT DAMAGE IN WALNUT (JUGLANS REGIA L.)ORCHARDS UNDER ORGANIC FARMING

Abstract

ABSTRACT The codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.), a key pest in walnut orchards in Bulgaria, is managed mainly with broad spectrum insecticides. Insecticide application often resulted in destruction of beneficial species and environmental pollution. The present study was conducted during 2018 - 2019 in Pazardzhik region of Bulgaria in an isolated orchard. The pheromone trap catches of C. pomonella in the organically maintained walnut orchard in the presence of mating disruption (MD) dispensers was compared with the pheromone trap catches in the conventional control orchard. The Pherocon VI sticky traps, type Delta were baited with standard PHEROCON CM L2 – codlemone. CIDETRAK® CMDA COMBO™ MESO™ mating disruption dispensers containing a unique combination of codling moth pheromone and a patented male and female behavior modifying kairomone were used at the rate of 20 pieces per/ha in the organic orchard. There was reduction in fruit damage in the organic orchards, despite the lack of treatment with pesticides. In spite of 9 - 10 treatments with insecticides, fruit damage was higher in theconventional control orchard compared to the organic orchard. The present results brought out that the mating disruption using CIDETRAK® CMDA COMBO™ MESO™ dispensers against codling moth can provide more effective control against C. pomonella, than the pesticide treatments.