The Control of Codling Moth (Cydia Pomonella L.) Population Using Mating Disruption Method

The series of experiments on codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) control using mating disruption method were conducted in three experimental orchards during 2006-2010 growing seasons. The efficacy of two commercial pheromone preparations: Ecodian CP and Isomate CTT, in comparison to pesticides Calypso 480 SC and Appeal 04 PA, was evaluated on the base of percentage of damaged fruits, number of caterpillars collected during their migration for overwintering in bands of corrugated cardboard placed on tree trunk and number of moths caught in pheromone traps. Two thousands dispensers of Ecodian CP were used twice a season (at 6-week interval) on the area of 1 ha of the orchard. Five hundred of Isomate CTT dispensers were applied once a season on 1 ha of the orchard. In all the experiments, application of mating disruption method significantly reduced the level of apple damage; the control efficacy (calculated according to Abbott’s formula) ranged from 54.2% to 95.8%. The efficacy of chemical control ranged from 58.5% to 93.0%. The lower efficacy of mating disruption method was noticed in orchards with high codling moth population. The treatments also affected the number of caterpillars caught in bands of corrugated cardboard placed on tree trunk. In experiments where the codling moth was not controlled, the number of caterpillars per a band varied from 0.2 to 11.9 whereas in these where the pest was controlled chemically or by mating disruption method, their number varied from 1.4 to 2.8 specimens