CODLING MOTH (LEPIDOPTERA, OLETHREUTIDAE) - SUPPRESSION BY MALE REMOVAL WITH SEX-PHEROMONE TRAPS IN 3 BRITISH-COLUMBIA ORCHARDS

Sex pheromone traps to control the codling moth by male removal was evaluated in 3 apple orchards in the Okanagan Valley. The program was successful in only 1 of the 3 orchards. This orchard is completely isolated and codling moth control was obtained for 5 yr. In a 2nd orchard, codling moth populations were reduced by sprays prior to the male removal program. The program was successful in 1977, as the percent injured fruit was only 0.6. In 1978, the codling moth capture rose sharply and at harvest the percent injured fruit was 8.0. There was a high infestation in the 3rd orchard when the program was initiated and in 1976, the percent injured fruit dropped to 10.4% from 60.0% in 1975. The percent fruit injured by codling moth rose to 37.4 in 1977 and to 60.2 in 1978 under the male removal program. Data show that this method of control is effective only under special circumstances, where codling moth populations are low and where isolation precludes reinfestation.