Increased trapping efficiency for the peach fruit moth Carposina sasakii (Matsumura) with synthetic sex pheromone

Carposina sasakiiMatsumura is one of the most serious fruit-damaging pests in Southern East Asia. The management of C. sasakii using sex pheromones has proven to be simple, effective and environmentally friendly with respect to monitoring and controlling this pest. To apply sex pheromone-based pest control techniques effectively, we characterized a range of application parameters, as well as the effects of synthetic sex pheromones, in jujube orchards. Trapping radius was determined by comparing the mean number of trapped individuals at different inter-trap distances, and mating disruption parameters were inferred by comparing the rate of trapping efficiency reduction and the infestation ratio of fruits in the experimental fields by uniformly placing different number/types of lures/100m(2). These studies revealed capture rates with significant differences across 10-50-m inter-trap distances: for example, a 30-m or greater inter-trap distance was suitable for monitoring and mass trapping, whereas distances <20m significantly decreased the trapping efficiency in the testing area. The studies lay the foundation for the implementation of these technologies within the context of a well-conceived control strategy against this significant agricultural pest.