Control of fruit moths with mating disruption in a Hungarian apricot orchard

Abstract: Mating disruption (MD) has become an important method of fruit moth control. Ouraim was to examine the flight and migration of the Peach twig borer (Anarsia lineatella) and theOriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta) in an apricot plantation. We also studied the efficiencyof MD under Hungarian conditions. This study was carried out in a 1 hectare large, three-yearoldapricot orchard in Soroksár between 2007 and 2009. The ripening period of the approx. 60hybrid trees was between the beginning of June and the beginning of September. Dispensers ofboth Oriental fruit moth and Peach twig borer were set out into the plantation. Based on thecatches of sex pheromone traps and the number of damaged fruits, the effectiveness of MD wasanalysed. Our results show that communication between sexes was confused due to the presenceof dispensers. The rate of fruit damage remained at a negligible level (max. 2%) in spite of thelong-lasting period of ripening. Most adults reared from damaged fruits were Peach twig borersand Oriental fruit moths but some Codling moths (Cydia pomonella) also occurred. One-third ofthe Peach twig borer larvae were parasitized. As far as the migration of the pests is concerned, wefound that the traps placed around the plantation caught the Oriental fruit moth and the Peachtwig borer continuously, though the number of caught insects varied.