Advancing codling moth mating disruption: Part 2–confirmation of competitive attraction equations

Twenty large cages, each enclosing twelve apple trees, were built in a recently abandoned orchard in Michigan. These cages permitted control of experimental variables in tests of the theoretical framework of competitive attraction described in the previous presentation. Variables in this framework included: moth density, findability of pheromone sources and male moth retention time. In these experiments, moth density was known because cages were stocked with a known number of lab-reared moths, and wild moths were excluded. We examined how point source density affected catch of moths in a central pheromone-baited trap. We confirmed that catch of codling moths fit the predicted competitive-attraction profile. We used the theoretical framework from Part 1 to elucidate the mode of action and activity of Isomate dispensers. These dispensers first attracted males and then deactivated them for one night.