Efficiency of Bait Traps for the Oriental Fruit Moth as Indicated by the Release and Capture of Marked Adults

Abstract

Extensive liberations of marked oriental fruit moths (Grapholitha molesta) within and at varying distances from large baited areas at Vincennes, Ind., and at Cornelia, Ga., proved that owing to adult migration the benefits derived from the use of baits were spread over much more than the immediate area baited. At Vincennes flights of from 2,000 to 6,500 feet over baited territory occurred following 12 of the 18 releases made there. At Cornelia flights of more than a mile from unbaited to baited peach orchards were recorded. Twenty-six per cent of 53 moths released in an unbaited orchard one-third mile from the center of a 37-acre trapped block were captured in the latter area. Of releases made within baited orchards recoveries ranging from 16 to 85 per cent were made. Little oviposition occurs within 48 hours after adult emergence. Flights of as much as two-fifths mile from unbaited into baited territory occurred within this time. At Cornelia released moths recovered within two days contained an average of 141 eggs, while those recovered between two and five days after release averaged 126 eggs. Most recoveries were made within five days, some however as late as the fourteenth day. A mixture of baits in an area appeared more efficient than a single bait. All efforts at artificial control of the oriental fruit moth not conducted on a large scale or in isolated orchards will tend to be nullified following emergence of each brood if migration occurs as readily in unbaited as in baited orchards.