Positive interaction of a feeding attractant and a host kairomone for trapping the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.)

Codling moths are attracted to acetic acid and to ethyl-(E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate, the pear ester, when presented individually. The attraction to acetic acid is thought to be a food finding behavior, whereas the pear odorant, ethyl-(E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate, may be a host kairomone. We found, in a flight tunnel study, that more male and female codling moths were captured in traps when the compounds were presented together compared to tested separately. The combination of odorants provides a stronger lure for female codling moths than exists with pear ester alone and increases the potential for using lures in managing this pest of pome fruits and walnuts.