Moving from crises, regulations and consumer preferences to a sensible and stable pheromone-based pest management in orchard crops: allowing biological control to flourish

The potential of using sex pheromones to control insect pests was demonstrated over 40 years ago. The mating disruption product to be registered for control of an insect pest Pectinophora gossypiella occurred over 30 years ago. Mating disruption technology is extensively used worldwide to control multiple pests of both agriculture and forestry. The use of mating disruption technology to control Grapholita molesta and Cydia pomonella in fruit growing regions around the world are acknowledged major success stories. The adoption of mating disruption technology has often been precipitated by crises, for example the loss of pest control due to resistance or the restrictions on the availability or use of insecticides. The incorporation of mating disruption technology into pest management systems especially when used in area-wide programs, was instrumental in end-users being able to re-establish control, harvest marketable crops and improve profitability. Environmental concerns and consumer preferences have led to increased regulatory and export restrictions resulting in the phase-out of many insecticides. Although new chemistries have been registered, these products are more expensive, difficult to use and often result in the outbreak of secondary pests. Together these factors have led to mating disruption technology becoming a standard practice in important pome fruit production areas around the  world. The incorporation of mating disruption technology into pest management systems has led to improved control, less insecticide residues, increased use of biopesticides such as codling moth granulovirus, and increased natural enemy populations. In pome fruit systems in Washington State, biological control of secondary pests is now widespread and a important focus of industry and growers. Mating disruption technology has become the foundation that has allowed biological control to establish and become an important pest management tool. As environmental awareness increases, the use of mating disruption products will continue to increase and biological control will flourish.