Sustainable management of the codling moth Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) using sugar in Northeast of Algeria

Various techniques are applied to control the pest damage to (pome) crops in different countries of the world. Among the integrated pest management programmes (IPCP), mating disruption (MD) approach has its own advantages over pesticide techniques being less hazardous to environment. An exhaustive systematic field trial surveys were conducted to explore the seasonal activities of Codling Moth (CM) Cydia pomonella under natural conditions and the (MD) method was applied to Control Maling Disruption (CM) damage to apple (pome) crops in area of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, (Pakistan). Mating Disruption (MD) technique offers several advantages over pesticide sprays methods and, MD reduces CM damage. The present study describes the assessment of time of pest infestation, peak flight temporal and spatial variation of CM (Cydia pomonella) in two different experimented habitats by the use of pheromone trap approach. For experimental data, two distinct flight periods of CM were recorded, suggesting two generations per year. The pest population density was observed to be the highest in the first weeks of May and July. It was concluded that by application of the MD technique a better growth of pome crops can be obtained. Hence, for sustainable and comprehensive fruit farming, a more widespread use of pheromones technique (Mating Disruption- MD) may be useful step to enhance the agricultural yield of apple (pome) crops.

The research relevance on Codling moth peculiarities is predefined by it being a main threat to apple culture. The sensitivity of apple cultivars that have been planted so far and continue to be planted to this pest diverges in different cultivars. The research aims to determine the main elements of Cydia Pomonella control using sex pheromones and environmentally friendly insecticides. To achieve the goal, an experiment was conducted in the village of Dvoran in the Korcha region on three apple cultivars: Golden Delicious, Star King, and Granny Smith. On the trees of these varieties, traps with sex pheromones were used and environmentally friendly insecticides were utilised. The study found that using sex pheromone traps to monitor Cydia Pomonella is simple and less expensive for apple growers. The Spinosad medicine is the most effective in terms of protection against the pest, the second being Indoxacarb. Golden Delicious and Granny Smith cultivars had the lowest level of pest infestation, while the Star King cultivar was the most affected by Cydia Pomonella. It has also been established that apple fruits do not contain toxic residues, and the ecosystem remains clean. Additionally, the use of sex pheromones can be part of an integrated pest management approach that combines different control methods to sustainably manage pest populations in gardens. The practical significance of the obtained results is that they provide apple growers with a safe and effective method of controlling Cydia pomonella populations in their orchards. In addition, the scientific basis for the use of sex pheromones as a method of pest control can contribute to the implementation of sustainable control methods in apple production

Comparative activity of baculoviruses against the codling moth Cydia pomonella and three other tortricid pests of tree fruit.

Simple SummaryIntercropping apple trees with aromatic plants is a way to attract natural enemies and strengthen biological control services. However, the effects of aromatic plants are still unclear under field conditions. Here, we studied the potential of two aromatic plant species to promote codling moth natural enemies in a full factorial experiment. Ocimum basilicum increases codling moth parasitism. Tagetes patula has a general negative effect on both the codling moth and its natural enemies. We do not find a reduction in codling moth density or damaged apples on trees associated with aromatic plants.The addition of flowering companion plants within or around crop fields is a promising strategy to strengthen pest regulation by their natural enemies. Aromatic plants are frequently used as companion plants, but their effects on natural enemies remain unclear under field conditions. Here, we evaluated the effects of two aromatic plant species on the parasitism of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and the recruitment of predatory arthropods (spiders, earwigs) in a factorial field experiment. Apple trees were intercropped with basil (Ocimum basilicum), French marigolds (Tagetes patula), or ryegrass (Lolium perenne). The association between apple trees and O. basilicum increases codling moth parasitism, but does not affect arthropod predator abundances. Furthermore, we find a general negative effect of T. patula on arthropod diversities and abundances, including the pest and its natural enemies. Finally, changes in the parasitism rate and arthropod community structure due to the aromatic plants do not reduce codling moth density or associated apple damage. Further experiments are needed to determine the mechanisms involved in aromatic plant effects on pest repellence and on natural enemy recruitment (volatile organic compound composition, floral resource supply, or pest density dependence).

Simple SummaryMeasures of insect movement patterns are key to understanding how insects forage for resources and mating opportunities in their environment. Directly observing large numbers of these small organisms can be extremely challenging, especially for flying insects in low light conditions such as codling moth (Cydia pomonella), a key pest of apple. Here we provide a novel approach to indirectly measure the path meander of randomly moving organisms. Computer simulations were used to simulate insect movement across a wide range of possible movement patterns, measured in circular standard deviation (c.s.d.) of turn angles between track segments. For each c.s.d., the pattern of catch across a rectangular grid of traps was plotted and the resulting exponential decay constant (k) of the fitted lines were used to generate a standard curve describing this linear relationship. Using this standard curve, field data from target organisms caught in the described trapping grid can reveal the pattern of movement employed by these movers. Here we have demonstrated methodology for indirect measure of the movement patterns employed by random walkers such as C. pomonella. While we employed codling moth as our model system, we suggest this approach could prove useful in a wide range of other systems.Measures of path meander are highly relevant to studies of optimal foraging by animals. However, directly recording paths of small animals such as insects can be difficult because of small size or crepuscular activity. Computer simulations of correlated random walkers demonstrated that the rates of decay in captures across a rectangular grid of traps when movers were released at its corner can be used to produce calibration curves for quantifying path meander indirectly. Simulations using spatial parameters matching those previously documented for male codling moths (Cydia pomonella (L.)) foraging for female pheromone plumes in the field predicted that meander, as measured in circular standard deviation (c.s.d.) of turn angles between track segments, should be ca. 50° and 30° when the target population density is high vs. low, respectively. Thus, if optimized, the mean value measured for C. pomonella populations encountering an unknown target density should fall between these limits. We recorded decay in C. pomonella catch across a 5 × 5 grid of pheromone-baited traps each separated by 15 m on 39 occasions where batches of ca. 800 males were released 10 m outside the corner of trapping grids arranged in five large Michigan apple orchards. This decay constant was translated into mean c.s.d value for path meander using the standard curve generated by the computer simulations. The measured decay constant for C. pomonella males was negative 0.99 ± 0.02 (S.E.M.), which translates to a path meander of 37 ± 2° c.s.d. Thus, the measured path meander of 37° fell between the 50° and 30° values optimal for dense and sparse populations, respectively. In addition to providing a rare documented example of optimal foraging for odor plumes, this research offers proof-of-concept for a novel approach to quantifying path meander of movers that could prove useful across diverse taxa.

Pheromone traps were used to monitor the following tortricid moths, i.e. Adoxophyes orana, Archips podanus, A. rosanus, Hedya nubiferana, Pandemis heparana, Spilonota ocellana, Cydia pomonella, Cydia funebrana and Cydia molesta in the localities Brno-Tuřany (Brno-město), Nebovidy (Brno-venkov) and Prakšice (Uherské Hradiště). Other Lepidoptera non-target species were present in these target-species pheromone traps, i.e. Adoxophyes orana, Agrotis segetum, Amphipoea oculaea, Archips rosanus, Celypha striana, Cydia coronillana, Enarmonia formosana, Epiblema scutulanum, Epinotia huebneriana, Eucosma fervidana, Euxoa tritici, Hedya pruniana, H. nubiferana, Lymantria dispar, Noctua pronuba, Notocelia rosaecolana, N. roborana, Pammene albuginana, P. suspectana, Pandemis cerasana, Pyrausta rectefascialis, P. aurata, Spilonota ocellana, Yponomeuta malinellus and Zygaena purpuralis.

The codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera Tortricidae) is a key pest of pome fruit (apple, pear and quince) and walnut orchards in most temperate regions of the world. Efforts to control the codling moth in the past mostly relied on the use of broad spectrum insecticide sprays, which has resulted in the development of insecticide resistance, and the disruption of the control of secondary pests. In addition, the frequent reliance and use of these insecticides are a constant threat to the environment and human health. Consequently, there have been increased demands from the growers for the development of codling moth control tactics that are not only effective but also friendly to the environment. In that respect, the sterile insect technique (SIT) and its derivative, inherited sterility (IS), are, together with mating disruption and granulosis virus, among the options that offer great potential as cost‐effective additions to available control tactics for integration in area‐wide integrated pest‐management approaches. In support of the further development of the SIT/IS for codling moth control, the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture implemented a 5‐year Coordinated Research Project (CRP) entitled ‘Improvement of codling moth SIT to facilitate expansion of field application’. Research focussed on sterile codling moth quality and management (e.g. mobility and life‐history traits in relation to rearing strategy, dispersal, flight ability, radiosensitivity and mating compatibility) and a better understanding of the basic genetics of codling moth to assist the development of genetic sexing strains (e.g. cytogenetics, the development of dominant conditional lethal mutations, molecular characterization of the sex chromosomes, sex identification in embryos and cytogenetic markers). The results of the CRP are presented in this special issue.

Non-choice laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of host acceptance, previous rearing host, host age and the contact time between parasitoids and host on the efficacy of Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal and T. principum Sug. et Sor. against the codling moth Cydia pomonella. The tendency of T. cacoeciae and T. principum females to attack the codling moth was similar to E. kuehniella, and it was not affected by the previous rearing host. T. cacoeciae showed a greater preference for codling moth eggs than T. principum. A high mean number of emerged F1 progeny was observedwhen both parasitoids were sequentially reared on codling moths. Codling moth acceptance, the number of parasitized eggs and the number of emerged progeny were higher when younger codling moth eggs were offered. The tendency of female parasitoids to oviposit remained unchanged when the contact time with the host was prolonged. When the contact time was increased, the number of parasitized eggs and emerged offspring was higher. The results showed that the codling moth fertility (egg hatch) was reduced when younger eggs were offered and when the contact time with the parasitoids was increased. T. cacoeciae was more efficient in reducing codling moth fertility. The current study provided essential information necessary to increase the efficiency of T. cacoeciae and T. principum against the codling moth.

Results on the Efectiveness of Plant Protection Products Tested at the Fruit Growing Research and Development Station Iaşi, Romania During 2010-2011, at the Fruit Growing Research and Development Station (FGRDS) Iaşi, Romania, were carried aut research on testing the effectiveness of plant protection products. The experiment was conducted in experimental polygon, in an apple orchard, the variety Idared. Pests on witch observations were made were: Cydia pomonella L., Adoxophyes reticulana, Panonychus ulmi, Phyllonorycter spp., and the products tested were: Affirm SG 095 and Voliam Targo SC 063. The products Affirm SC 095 was tested against the apple skin moth (Adoxophyes reticulana) and apple codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.), and the product Voliam Targo SC 063 was tested against red mites (Panonychus ulmi) and the leaves miners (Phyllonorycter spp.) apple codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.). As standard products Coragen and Vertimec 1.8 EC were used at the rates of 0.15 l/ha and 0.75/ha respectively.

The anti-hail nets are widely used to protect apple fruit against hailstorms and hail damage. They can have also beneficial effects against pests in apple orchards, in particular codling moth (Cydia pomonella). However, covering the trees with anti-hail nets can modify the orchard microclimate and reduce the interception of light, thus potentially causing negative consequences on the organoleptic quality of apple fruits. A consistent reduction of the percentage of apple fruits infested by codling moth was registered as a result of the use of anti-hail nets during two consecutive harvest years. Their use did not affect fruit maturity, but reduced the skin colour, sugar content, pulp total phenol content, volatile compound composition and sensory characteristics. However, the results were inconsistent over the two years apart for total phenols, formation of two volatile compounds (butyl and hexenyl acetate, the first being one of the main odorants in most apple cultivars), sensory attributes of 'flavour of lemon' and 'juiciness'. For these parameters, the fruits from plots where the trees were not covered showed higher values than those from plots where anti-hail nets were used. The use of anti-hail nets was effective in preventing the attack of codling moth to apple fruits, suggesting their use in organic management where conventional insecticides are prohibited. Under the conditions tested, anti-hail nets showed a negative effect on some of the quality characteristics measured on apple fruits, which could influence consumer acceptability.

Codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) is an internal feeding pest of apples and can cause substantial economic losses to fruit growers due to larval feeding which in turn degrades fruit quality and can result in complete crop loss if left uncontrolled. Although this pest originally developed in central Asia, it was not known to occur in China until 1953. For the first three decades the spread of codling moth within China was slow. Within the last three decades, addition of new commercial apple orchards and improved transportation, this pest has spread to over 131 counties in seven provinces in China. We developed regional (China) and global ecological niche models using MaxEnt to identify areas at highest potential risk of codling moth establishment and spread. Our objectives were to 1) predict the potential distribution of codling moth in China, 2) identify the important environmental factors associated with codling moth distribution in China, and 3) identify the different stages of invasion of codling moth in China. Human footprint, annual temperature range, precipitation of wettest quarter, and degree days ≥10 °C were the most important predictors associated with codling moth distribution. Our analysis identified areas where codling moth has the potential to establish, and mapped the different stages of invasion (i.e., potential for population stabilization, colonization, adaptation, and sink) of codling moth in China. Our results can be used in effective monitoring and management to stem the spread of codling moth in China.

Codling moth ( Cydia pomonella ) is a major insect pest of apple ( Malus domestica ). If unmanaged, then codling moth can infest nearly all apples in an orchard, where the flesh-tunneling larva leave frass-laden tracks in the fruit. Insecticide-based management requires accurate application timing (typically based on adult moth and/or degree-day monitoring) and multiple spray applications. Both the season-long commitment to codling moth monitoring and management and limited familiarity with insecticides, application tools, and proper application procedures can prevent a small-scale or backyard grower from effectively limiting fruit damage. In addition, an increasing segment of growers is interested in nonchemical alternatives. Bagging fruitlets early in the season could be a simple and effective method of codling moth management for this subset of growers. At our research orchard in Corvallis, MT, we tested a method combining fruit thinning and bagging using plastic bags the first season and nylon bags the second season. Plastic bags reduced the incidence of codling moth damage to fruit from 34% to 10%, but european earwig ( Forficula auricularia ) frass, which was found in more than 50% of plastic-bagged apples, made harvesting the fruit unappealing. We tested nylon fruit bags during the second year of the study. These bags did not significantly reduce the incidence of codling moth. Both the soluble solids content and titratable acidity were higher in unbagged fruit during the second year of the study, whereas color measurements indicated bagged fruit were greener on the shaded side of the fruit. Failure of the nylon bags may have been attributable to eggs laid before bagging, eggs laid or larva burrowing through bagging, or improper bag application methods. Further research could assess whole-tree bags, the addition of rubber bands or twist ties when applying nylon bags, pretreatment of fruit with horticulture oil, and/or dipping nylon bags in kaolin clay before application; however, these steps add time and increase costs, which may discourage the small-scale fruit grower. Overall, results indicate that fruit bagging holds promise for codling moth management; however, further work is needed to optimize the methodology.

Wooden fruit bins are a source of diapausing codling moth and postharvest pathogenic fungi. The redistribution of codling moths within bins is a problem where codling moth populations are being controlled by areawide codling moth sterile release programs, mating disruption programs, or both. Laboratory and fumigation chamber trials were carried out to determine the impact of relatively low levels of carbon dioxide on late-instar codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) and two postharvest fruit pathogens, Penicillium expansum Link ex Thom and Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr. Fumigation of diapausing codling moth with 40% CO2 in laboratory trials resulted in over 60% mortality after only 6 days of exposure and mortality increased with time of exposure. Significant mortality (68%) of diapausing codling moth larvae occurred after 14 days of exposure in the laboratory to 13% CO2 and a mean of 88% mortality was recorded after fumigation for 20 days. A significant number of P. expansum (46%) spores failed to germinate after laboratory exposure to 13% CO2 for 12 and 18 days respectively. Close to 100% of the P. expansum spores failed to germinate by day 20. When diapausing codling moth larvae and spores from both plant pathogens were placed in wooden fruit bins and fumigated for 21 days at 13% CO2, 75% of the diapausing codling moths died and 80% of the P. expansum spores failed to germinate. No effect on B. cinerea was observed.

Apple, a vital fruit crop worldwide and a major crop grown in northern parts of India, acts as a backbone for the survival and livelihood of the farming community. However, it is prone to severe damage from insect pests and diseases. In the past few years, due to erratic weather patterns, there has been an alarmingly increased infestation of different insect pests, both invasive and non-invasive, resulting in substantial economic losses to this industry. One similar case was seen in the Himalayan region of India, where the apple crop in Karewas was heavily damaged by some invasive fruit borer, feeding on pulp and making galleries to reach the seed locules, thereby destroying the seed material. To ascertain the true identity of this pest, a study based on morpho-molecular characterization of this pest was carried out in the Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, SKUAST Kashmir, India, during the years 2021 and 2022. The invasive fruit samples were collected from apple orchards at different locations (experimental sites) in North India by installing delta sticky traps @ 5 traps/ha for moth collection. The fruit-boring larvae and pupa were also collected and reared in confined chambers of the laboratory with controlled temperature and humidity. All the laboratory investigations were conducted at the Division of Entomology, FoA, Wadura, SKUAST Kashmir. During the investigation, it was confirmed that the invasive borer is a codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.), a member of the family Tortricidae, order Lepidoptera, which was earlier having quarantine importance in India, as it was only present in the Ladakh region of India. From the phylogenetic analysis of sample sequences, the species of codling moth present at all experimental sites was more identical to the codling moth sequence from Leh (the northernmost arid region), India. Further, the study of life cycle and voltinism revealed that codling moth completes three generations per year in Kashmir, with a single cycle lasting up to 2.5 months. However, the timing of various generations varies, depending on prevailing weather conditions at specific locations and times. The number of generations completed by codling moth in Kashmir conditions during apple growing season was three full and a half overwintering generations. The study of the life cycle of this important pest was necessary to know the weak link for its effective management and to prevent the economic loss in apple fruit.

Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) (CM) is a major pest of apples in New Zealand. Several biocontrol agents introduced in the past to control CM have only been partially successful at reducing CM populations, so a parasitoid wasp, Mastrus ridens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), was recently released into apple-growing regions. This study sought evidence of the establishment of CM parasitoids. Corrugated cardboard bands (2-cm wide bands with sentinel CM larvae and 10-cm wide empty bands to trap wild CM larvae) were used to assess the presence of M. ridens and other CM parasitoids in Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Central Otago and Waikato regions. Five CM parasitoid species, including M. ridens, were recovered from sentinel and wide bands. Liotryphon caudatus (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae, released to control CM in 1906) was found in Hawke’s Bay and Waikato. Ascogaster quadridentata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, released to control CM in the 1930s), Glabridorsum stokesii (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae, released in 1967 to control light brown apple moth), Dibrachys microgastri (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae, an accidental arrival) and M. ridens were found in all regions. The interspecific competition between M. ridens and other parasitoid species remains to be investigated.