Reduced rates of pheromone applications for control of codling moth (Cydia pomonella) in pear and walnut orchards

Reduced number of hand-applied pheromone dispensers per ha has been used recently to effectively control codling moth, Cydia pomonella, in California pear and walnut orchards. Whereas the level of pheromone per ha has been kept constant by increasing the release rate per dispenser, no change in performance using damage as the key index of success was noted when comparing only ca. 50 units per ha compared to more traditional programs using 400-500 dispensers per ha. Codling moth damage levels in both treatments were statistically significant from control plots. The primary advantage of this approach is reduced labor costs by 80-90% for application of the hand-applied dispensers. All plots, pheromone and non-pheromone treated, were treated the same identically relative to supplemental insecticide use. However, slight, but statistically significant, increases in trap counts were recorded in 1X pheromone lures. Preliminary studies using aerosol emitters loaded with reduced pheromone loads were also investigated in 2010.