Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #193847
Title: PREPARATIONS FOR A SEASON-LONG RELEASE OF STERILE CODLING MOTHS IMPORTED FROM CANADA FOR THE CONTROL OF CODLING MOTH IN SOUTH AFRICA

Author
item BLOMEFIELD, T - ARC SOUTH AFRICA
item BLOEM, S - FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
item Carpenter, James
item WOOD, S - OK-SIR CANADA

Submitted to: IAEA-FAO Research Coordination Meeting for CRP
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/8/2006
Publication Date: 5/31/2006
Citation: Blomefield, T.L., Bloem, S., Carpenter, J.E., Wood, S. 2006. Preparations for a season-long release of sterile codling moths imported from Canada for the control of codling moth in South Africa. In: Proceedings of the Third Research Co-ordination Meeting, FAO/IAEA, Coordinated Research Program, "Improvement of Codling Moth SIT to Facilitate Expansion of Field Application", September 16-20, 2005, Mendosa, Argentina. IAEA-314-D4-RC.876, Vienna, Austria. p. 75-86.

Interpretive Summary: Because of the importance of codling moth and the high annual costs associated with its control the fruit industry and a group of international scientists are evaluating whether the sterile insect technique (SIT) may be an effective and economical method of controlling this pests. Conditions for the implementation of this method of control of codling moth in South Africa are considered to be good because of the infrastructure present and large farms. In preparation for a season-long release of sterile codling moth imported from a mass rearing facility in Canada for the control of codling moth in South Africa, several studies have been undertaken. These examined the mating compatibility of codling moth from Canada and South Africa, effect of long distance air-freighting on adult longevity and mating, and verification of the radiation dose required to sterilize codling moth reared in South Africa. The results from the mating compatibility studies indicate that Canadian and South African males are equally attracted to Canadian and South African females. The number of sterile moths recaptured in pheromone traps after being released in an organic orchard suggests that their flight ability is good. The commercial air-freighting of four consignments of chilled irradiated and non-irradiated moths from Canada to South Africa took between 67 and 93 hours. Despite their age and the distance air-freighted, visual inspection of the moths on arrival in South Africa indicated that they were in good condition. These findings will help facilitate the implementation of the season-long release of sterile moths imported from Canada for the control of codling moth in other countries through out the world.

Technical Abstract: Because of the importance of codling moth and the high annual costs associated with its control the fruit industry and a group of international scientists are evaluating whether the sterile insect technique (SIT) may be an effective and economical method of controlling this pests. Conditions for the implementation of this method of control of codling moth in South Africa are considered to be good because of the infrastructure present and large farms. In preparation for a season-long release of sterile codling moth imported from a mass rearing facility in Canada for the control of codling moth in South Africa, several studies have been undertaken. These examined the mating compatibility of codling moth from Canada and South Africa, effect of long distance air-freighting on adult longevity and mating, and verification of the radiation dose required to sterilize codling moth reared in South Africa. The results from the mating compatibility studies indicate that Canadian and South African males are equally attracted to Canadian and South African females. The number of sterile moths recaptured in pheromone traps after being released in an organic orchard suggests that their flight ability is good. The commercial air-freighting of four consignments of chilled irradiated and non-irradiated moths from Canada to South Africa took between 67 and 93 hours. Despite their age and the distance air-freighted, visual inspection of the moths on arrival in South Africa indicated that they were in good condition. These findings will help facilitate the implementation of the season-long release of sterile moths imported from Canada for the control of codling moth in other countries through out the world.