The Status of the Oriental Peach Moth in the South

Abstract

The Oriental peach moth (Laspeyresia motesta Busck) was first found in the South in the fall of 1923. Since that time inspections have revealed its presence in several localities of each of the Southern States, except South Carolina and Louisiana. Typical injury has been reported from those States. It is believed that the insect was brought into the South in infested apples, Studies of the life history and habits of the insect at Fort Valley, Ga., showed the occurrence of six generations and a partial seventh in 1925, and five generations and a partial sixth in 1926. The use of bait pans for the control of a light infestation of the Oriental peach moth, such as occurs in Georgia, was unsatisfactory and impracticable. Neither in the past, nor at present, has the Oriental peach moth been of any economic importance in Georgia. Because of the absence of a host, to mature the broods of larvae that hibernate, the Chances are that it never will be a pest of major importance in the Georgia peach belt. The original light infestation in Georgia has shown a marked decrease during the last two years. At the present time the known infestation is confined to trees in several cities and towns, and to a part of only two commercial orchards in the peach belt.