Raspberry cane midge Resseliella theobaldi: 3 years of flight monitoring in Swiss raspberry cultures

Abstract: The raspberry cane midge Resseliella theobaldi is a major pest of Swiss raspberries. The midge population dynamics have been studied for 3 years in the Valais region using a sex pheromone identified and synthesised by EMR and NRI. Four generations were observed in the low altitude and three in the mountains. Based on these observations and in order to find a substitute to diazinon, the only registered insecticide, an efficacy trial was conducted in 2008. Besides diazinon, two insecticides were tested. Only thiacloprid and diazinon showed a significant difference compared to control. The trial will be repeated in 2009.