Establishing Commercial Utility of Behavioral Control for Apple Maggot Fly

Authors: Wright, Starker; Leskey, Tracy

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America, Eastern Branch
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/4/2008
Publication Date: 2/13/2008
Citation: Wright, S.E., Leskey, T.C. 2008. Establishing Commercial Utility of Behavioral Control for Apple Maggot Fly. Entomological Society of America, Eastern Branch. Syracuse, NY. March 9-12, 2008.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Apple maggot fly is a key summer pest of apples throughout eastern North America, and poses an increasing threat to apple production in the Northwest. If left unchecked, the threat of AMF injury to fruit can be severe, resulting in complete loss of marketable crop. To combat AMF infestation, commercial growers typically apply three organophosphate sprays to their entire orchard, beginning in mid-July. As an alternative to organophosphate sprays, behavioral control of AMF using baited, toxicant-treated, visually attractive sphere traps holds tremendous promise. However, the potential of trap-based AMF control as a commercially viable alternative management strategy has not been fully realized due to unresolved shortcomings in the design and deployment of the current trapping system. Variation in temporal, spatial, and climatic conditions shapes the relative threat of AMF fruit injury within and across orchard plots and challenges the performance of behaviorally based management strategies. This variation exists in all commercial orchards, and trap performance within challenging circumstances must be resolved before broad commercial implementation of behavioral control for AMF can be recommended.