Use of Puffers for Disruption of Sex Pheromone Communication of Codling Moths (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Walnut Orchards

Abstract

Codlemone, (E,E)-8,10-dodecadienol, the female sex pheromone of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), was released at 30-min intervals into the air of square, 16-ha walnut, Juglans regia L., orchards from puffers, machines designed for the dispensing of aerosols from pressurized canisters. The puffers were arrayed at 44-m intervals along the borders of the orchards. A codlemone release rate of 254 mg/ha per day caused a 9.5–98% disruption in pheromone communication. as measured by a reduction in the numbers of males that oriented to codlemone lure–baited or female-baited traps in the centers of the orchards.