Control of pear leaf blister moth in organic fruit production (BIOFRUITNET Practice Abstract)

Summary in the original language of the document

Benefits
Flower strips can help to enhance the parasitation rate and reduce the needed usage of NeemAzal®-T/S. They can also positively affect the control of other pests, such as green or woolly apple aphids.
Practical recommendation
Use of NeemAzal®-T/S:
• Apply NeemAzal®-T/S shortly before the peak of hatching of L. malifoliella
• Eggs are laid on the undersides of leaves; mass hatching takes place from early to mid-June (northern Germany). To choose the correct application date, use flight monitoring with pheromone traps, visual con-trol of larval hatching (Binocular) and the temperature sum model according to GOTTWALD.
• The active ingredient of NeemAzal®-T/S is absorbed via the sucking activity of the larvae before it enters the leaf. It is very important to apply shortly before the larvae hatch, as the adults and eggs are not affect-ed.
• Larvae development is inhibited, as well as in their feeding activity. The damages on the leaves, also known as mines, remain small, and the next generation is reduced.
Beneficial insect promotion:
• The main predators of L. malifoliella are parasitoids of the family Chalcidoidea. Most of them attack larval and pupal stages. Also, earwigs are important in the control of this pest. Thus, it is crucial to apply control measures which do not harm these predators. The parasitoids may benefit from flowering strips.
• Do not use broad spectrum insecticides during the flight period of the parasitoids.