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Research article1999Peer reviewed

Behavioral observations of codling moth, Cydia pomonella, in orchards permeated with synthetic pheromone

Witzgall, P; Backman, AC; Svensson, M; Koch, U; Rama, F; El-Sayed, A; Brauchli, J; Arn, H; Bengtsson, M; Lofqvist, J

Abstract

Mating disruption of codling moth, Cydia pomonella, was studied in apple orchards treated with the main pheromone compound codlemone, (E,E)-8,10-dodecadienol, and a blend of codlemone and codlemone acetate, (E,E)-8,10-dodecadienyl acetate, a strong pheromone antagonist. Codlemone alone and the pheromone/antagonist-blend had a similar effect on the behavior of males emerging into air-permeated orchards. Male flights within tree canopy and upwind orientation along tree rows were strongly enhanced by both formulations, compared to untreated plots. However, the codlemone/codlemone acetate-blend increased the rate of cross-wind and downwind flights within the orchard, compared to codlemone alone. The major difference between these two formulations was that males from nearby, untreated orchards were attracted towards orchards treated with codlemone, but not towards treatments with codlemone/codlemone acetate. Additional tests were done with an equilibrium blend of codlemone and its geometric isomers. Aerial pheromone concentrations in the orchards were recorded by the field electroantennogram technique. Decreasing pheromone concentrations towards the upper part of the tree canopy, together with the stimulation of male flight activity by synthetic pheromone explains failures to control codling moth at high population densities with current dispenser formulations.

Keywords

antagonist; codlemone; field electroantennogram recording; inhibitor; mating disruption; pome fruit orchard; sex pheromone

Published in

BioControl
1999, Volume: 44, number: 2, pages: 211-237

      SLU Authors

    • Witzgall, Peter

      • Department of Plant Protection Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

      • Bäckman, Anna-Carin

        • Department of Plant Protection Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

        • Bengtsson, Marie

          • Department of Plant Protection Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

          • Löfqvist, Jan

            • Department of Plant Protection Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

          UKÄ Subject classification

          Ecology

          Publication identifier

          DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009976600272

          Permanent link to this page (URI)

          https://res.slu.se/id/publ/110573