Advancing codling moth mating disruption: Part 4–optimizing pheromone release rates

Dispensers were tested for moth attraction in field trials and in the cages described in the previous presentations. There were six dosages releasing between 15 ng/h and 2000 ng/h with the lowest dosage matching release from a 0.1 mg lure and the highest equivalent to release from an Isomate dispenser. Dispensers were tested in 20-tree field plots located at Washington State University during the spring and summer codling moth flights. Weekly experiments were conducted throughout each generation and were re-randomized between weeks. Experiments conducted in the large cages measured catch of released, lab-reared, male moths in lure-baited traps at the six dosages presented above. In both field trials and cage studies, responses to varying dosages of pheromone could be classified as either competitive attraction or competitive attraction followed by lack of continued response to pheromone sources. These data should assist in decisions to make pheromone mating disruption more efficient.