Guava moth (<i>Coscinoptycha improbana</i>) mating disruption using Asian peach moth (<i>Carposina sasakii</i>) pheromone dispensers

Abstract

Guava moth has now been recorded as far south as Auckland on fruit trees since first being detected in feijoa at Ahipara in 1997 The use of insecticides to control this internal fruit pest is not a viable option for growers To develop the basis for an alternative control tactic using mating disruption smallplot trials were carried out in a macadamia nut orchard using an existing polyethylene tubing pheromone dispenser used in Japan containing pheromone of the related Asian peach moth (Carposina sasakii) Male moths were significantly disrupted from locating pheromone traps (as a surrogate for female moths) using three pheromone dispensers in a single tree and also using one dispenser per tree in a plot of nine trees In a trial investigating the effect of height on trap catch the largest catch was at 3 m near the top of the canopy Aspects of guava moth biology were also investigated in the laboratory larval period in early fallen macadamia nuts pupa period at ambient autumn temperatures adult longevity with water or 10 honey solution compared to no food/water size range and sex ratio of male and female moths