Combination of pheromone and an additive for the control of codling moth, Cydia pomonella

Abstract: BASF AG recently developed a modification of the codling moth mating disruption dispensers RAK 3. In addition to the pheromone used in dispenser RAK 3, RAK 3R contains citral as an additional additive filled in a separate chamber in the dispenser, designed to enhance mating disruption. Semi-field and laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effectiveness of citral. Mating rates in cages with different moth densities placed in an apple orchard treated either with RAK 3R, RAK 3 or untreated were not significantly different. In small cages in the RAK 3 treatment, were mating differences significant. However, mating at low moth densities per cage were significantly lower in the treatments (RAK 3R, RAK 3) compared to the control. Experiments in a windtunnel revealed a significantly reduced attractivity of the pheromone if combined with Citral. In a closed system of glasscylinders (3,3 l) mating could be prevented when Citral was present at concentrations exceeding 2000 mg/l. Key words: mating disruption, Cydia pomonella, codling moth, Citra