Seasonal abundance and population dynamics of Adoxophyes orana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in northern Greece

Abstract

The phenology and population dynamics of the tortricid moth Adoxophyes orana were studied using pheromone traps and periodic sampling of shoots and fruits sampling in peach orchards in northern Greece (latitude 40.3° North). We combined diapause and development in a day-degree model of A. orana phenology. Each year adult activity occurred in early May or after 418 day-degrees had been accumulated from 1 February, when diapause development is completed. Larval activity began in early spring (March). According to larval instar distribution, by October diapause course is irreversible. Combining data on trap captures and larval activity reveals three distinct generations in the area. Larval densities increased at the end of summer when also fruit damage is possible. Three parasitoids were identified, Colpoclypeus florus being the most abundant. Applying the Weibull function and a logistic distribution to cumulative percentage of trap captures and larval development, respectively, the phenology of A. orana is forecasted with the accumulated day-degrees. The prediction of the models agrees well with the observed flight curves of A. orana males. The practical implications concerning population dynamics and use of the models for control of this pest are discussed.