2007 Annual Report
1a.Objectives (from AD-416)
To increase the application and improve the economics of mating disruption, to reduce the use of broad spectrum pesticides, and improve biological control in apple and pear orchards in the Pacific Northwest.
1b.Approach (from AD-416)
Conduct experiments and studies to improve monitoring of apple and pear pests with kairomones and feeding attractants, evaluate methods of applying pheromone for mating disruption of codling moth, develop lure and kill technology for control of moth pests of apple and pear, and evaluate extra-orchard habitats as refugia for parasites of leafrollers. Documents Trust with WA Tree Fruit Research Commission. Log 29060.
3.Progress Report
This report serves to document research conducted under a Trust agreement between ARS and Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5352-22000-017-00D 'Management of Insect Pests of Temperate Tree Fruit Crops'. Laboratory and field experiments evaluated the behavior of mature codling moth larvae when they leave apple fruit. In the field, comparisons were made between numbers of larvae intercepted in tree bands on the trunk versus numbers that landed in one meter square interception traps placed between trees. This study provided an idea of the ratio of numbers of larvae that drop to the ground versus numbers that walk through the canopy and down the trunk. Rough calculations indicated about a 50:50 ratio for droppers versus walkers. Laboratory tests compared larval movement when departing infested fruit on an artificial tree. Banding to intercept larvae indicated whether a larva had dropped to the floor or walked to the trunk (ca 30:70), and then whether the larva move up or down the tree trunk (ca 50:50). This laboratory study also compared diapause destined or non-diapause destined larvae, and showed a possible greater dispersal and movement to the floor by diapause destined larvae.
Studies were conducted of codling moth adult responses to fruits in the field. Fruit were placed in bucket type traps, and capture of moths in the traps was a result of their attraction to the fruit. Comparisons were made of the attractiveness of immature apples, ripe apple, infested apples, and ripe pears. Male and female codling moth were clearly attracted to all 4 categories of fruits, but were most strongly attracted to ripe pear fruits. Analyses of the odors from these fruits indicated the presence of a number of compounds previously thought to be important to codling moth host finding. Also, amounts of pear ester emitted by ripe pears was very low in most cases, and too low to account for the attractiveness of those fruit to codling moth.
Manuscripts were prepared and submitted to report on the responses of codling moths to fruit, and on the attractiveness of codling moths to chemicals identified in the volatiles of some of those fruits.
ADODR Statement: Communication among on site employees involved in this project was facilitated by weekly meetings to plan work and discuss results. Regular conference calls were the principal means of keeping in touch with off site collaborators, as well as an informal meeting in conjunction with the Portland Entomology Conference.
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