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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #108843

Title: ARE PUFFERS AS GOOD AS HAND-APPLIED DISPENSERS FOR MATING DISRUPTION OF CODLING MOTH AND OBLIQUE BANDED LEAFROLLER?

Author
item Knight, Alan
item Christianson Jr, Brad
item GOEHRY, MARK - WSU

Submitted to: Western Orchard Pest and Disease Management Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/10/1999
Publication Date: 1/5/2000
Citation: Knight, A.L., Christianson Jr, B.A., Goehry, M. 2000. Are puffers as good as hand-applied dispensers for mating disruption of codling moth and oblique banded leafroller?. Western Orchard Pest and Disease Management Conference. p.103-104.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In 1999 a study was conducted using replicated 40 acre orchards that compared a puffer arrangement against Isomate dispensers at either 400 or 200 dispensers per acre. No difference was found among these three treatments. Three puffer deployments were evaluated that involve different daily cycles of operation (12 or 24 h) and the frequency of puffing (every 15 or 30 min). All of the puffer settings for codling moth were similar to the two Isomate dispenser densities tested. However, the 12 h cycle of operation (3 PM to 3AM) every 15 min appeared to be more effective for the oblique banded leafroller. This is also the current use of puffers in California for codling moth. The cost of this puffer program is expected to be similar to the cost of using a half rate of Isomate-C+ and has a much lower application cost. Additional studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of this puffer use strategy and to evaluate its use in combination with sprayable pheromone and 'attract and kill' formulations. In the second study, three grower's orchards were managed with the use of puffers and border application of hand-applied dispensers. Orchards were monitored by a private consultant with lure-baited traps and levels of fruit injury were assessed at harvest. Fruit from codling moth and obliquebanded leafroller averaged 0.24 and 0.12%, respectively. These levels of fruit injury were acceptable based on the high pest pressure in these orchards.