ARS | Publication request: Ambient orchard and on-tree volatile collection system for monitoring and detection of attractants for navel orangeworm

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 29, 2008
Publication Date: January 23, 2009
Citation: Beck, J.J. 2009. Ambient orchard and on-tree volatile collection system for monitoring and detection of attractants for navel orangeworm. Meeting Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary: The navel orangeworm (NOW) is a major insect pest of California tree nuts. Its feeding damage lowers nut kernel quality resulting in considerable monetary loss to growers, producers, and shippers. Moreover, NOW feeding damage directly contributes to aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus, a ubiquitous fungus in tree nut orchards, and is presently a significant food safety problem due to its carcinogenic and teratogenic attributes. Hence, control of NOW has now become one of the top priorities of the CA tree nut industry. Despite having a natural defense against Aspergillus flavus, walnuts are still susceptible to NOW damage. The California Walnut Board Entomology Research Group recommended that control and monitoring of NOW be considered a top research priority. This project will directly address the use of natural attractants from California tree nut orchards for monitoring of NOW. Currently the ability to detect and monitor NOW populations suffers from the lack of dependable and accurate semiochemical lures.

Technical Abstract: The navel orangeworm (NOW) is a major insect pest of California tree nuts. Its feeding damage lowers nut kernel quality resulting in considerable monetary loss to growers, producers, and shippers. Moreover, NOW feeding damage directly contributes to aflatoxin contamination. Hence, control of NOW has now become one of the top priorities of the CA tree nut industry. Despite having a natural defense against Aspergillus flavus, walnuts are still susceptible to NOW damage. This project will directly address the use of natural attractants from California tree nut orchards for monitoring of NOW.