Monitoring, prevention and control of plum moth (BIOFRUITNET Practice Abstract)

Summary in the original language of the document

Pheromones used for Grapholita funebrana are not species-specific, and usage of pheromone dispenser lures will attract other Grapholita species including Grapholita molesta (Oriental fruit moth), causing similar damage.
Practical recommendations
• HOST PLANTS: Larvae can cause significant damage on main host plants as plums (Prunus domestica) and apricots (Prunus armeniaca). In addition, peaches (Prunus persica), almonds (Prunus amygdalus) and other Prunus species are also attacked.
• LIFE CYCLE: usually two generations per year
• 1st generation: May to June
• 2nd generation: July to August
• In climatically favourable regions, a third generation may emerge around mid-August before the adult caterpillars of the last generation visit the overwintering sites.
• DAMAGE:
o 1st generation: Female moths lay eggs singly or in small groups on fruitlets. Entrance holes, however, are barely visible. Larval feeding causes gummosis, exuding fluid from the entrance hole. These are good detections for diagnostic observation. A premature colour change from green to violet and/or fruits drop.
o 2nd generation: Females lay eggs in maturing fruits, and larvae feed throughout the fruit, travelling from the outer part to the stone region, forming filled tunnels and feeding inside. Usually, only one caterpillar develops per fruit. Fruits are inedible, unmarketable quality.
• CONTROL AND PREVENTION: Use mating disruption with the pheromone dispensers
Pheromones to monitor G. funebrana can be placed in the same traps with pheromones of Cydia pomonella
o Placing sex pheromone dispensers along the
edges of fields, rather than in the centre, is recommended
o Pheromone traps are not species-specific, catching many other Grapholita species, including males of G. molesta
o Late-maturing varieties are more damaged, early ripening varieties should therefore be grown.
o Direct control by the application of products based on Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki onto the fruits at the peak of larvae hatching.