Possibility of control of painted apple moth (Teia anartoides) using single component mating disruption

Disruption of mate location by painted apple moth males was tested using two 3M sprayable formulations of Z6-heneicosen-11-one applied in field cages at Glendene, Auckland. Four Acacia branches were installed upright in each field cage and the sprays were applied at 50 mul pheromone in 1 litre of water to the foliage and walls. A third field cage, located upwind, was left untreated. Up to 50% of males located virgin female moths in the control cage, compared to very low or zero in the cages treated with sprayable pheromone. The test indicates that single component mating disruption of painted apple moth is a potentially useful tactic that warrants small plot testing and further evaluation of feasibility. The legislative constraints to the development of this technology are discussed.