Author
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Thorpe, Kevin |
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Webb, Ralph |
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Submitted to: Plant Protection Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 3/3/2004 Publication Date: 5/3/2004 Citation: Thorpe, K.W., Webb, R.E. 2004. Gypsy moth mating disruption: from inception to implementation. Plant Protection Conference Proceedings. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Research on gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), mating disruption has been ongoing at USDA for thirty years. Mating disruption is currently used against gypsy moth on over 240,000 ha of hardwood forest in the eastern United States each year. It is the primary control tactic in the Slow-the-Spread of the Gypsy Moth (STS) Program. This federally-funded effort involves intensive monitoring and treatment of gypsy moth populations within a 40 million ha area containing the leading edge of the North American gypsy moth population as it expands to the south and west. Early efforts (1971 ' 1979) to disrupt gypsy moth mating with it's sex attractant pheromone, (Z)-7,8-epoxy-2-methyloctadecane (disparlure), involved the aerial application of a variety of controlled-release dispensers at doses ranging from 0.05 - 50 g of disparlure per ha. Results were variable, but many trials resulted in measurable reductions in gypsy moth mating success. In 1980, a plastic laminated flake dispenser became available that provided a consistent release profile. Specialized pods for mixing flakes with sticker and applying the formulation from an aircraft were developed. Based on the results of field dose response tests, mating disruptants are applied at 15- 37.5 g disparlure per ha. Mating disruption treatments have been shown to reduce population growth for up to three years following treatment. Evaluations of treatment efficacy in STS indicate that mating disruption is as effective as Bacillus thuringiensis at slowing gypsy moth spread rates. |
