Mating disruption is a technique that uses synthetic copies of sex pheromones to control insect pests. We aimed to control Oriental fruit moth (OFM) Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) with formulations of SPLAT Grafo (SG) and SPLAT Grafo Attract and Kill (SGAK) in small (1 ha) apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) orchards. Our experiment was conducted in a commercial orchard with ’Gala’ trees (spacing 1.5 x 4.5 m) in Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. We evaluated the effect of four treatments on G. molesta population densities: a) SG at 1 kg ha-1 (300 point sources of 3.3 g each), b) SGAK at 1 kg ha-1 (1000 point sources of 1 g each), c) insecticides as recommended by Integrated Apple Production (IAP), and d) untreated control (no treatment). Specialized Pheromone and Lure Application Technology (SPLAT) treatments were applied on 1 August 2004 and reapplied after 120 d (1 December 2004). The treatment effect was evaluated by weekly counts of males captured in Delta traps baited with commercial synthetic sex pheromone lures (eight traps per treatment). We assessed fruit damage caused by G. molesta in eight replicates of 200 fruits each on 26 October, 30 November 2004, and 5 and 31 January 2005. Applying 1 kg ha-1 of SG and SGAK in August and December 2004 significantly reduced the number of male moths caught in Delta traps. Damage to fruits at harvest, however, did not differ significantly from the control. This indicates a decline in the efficacy of mating disruption when SG and SGAK are used to protect small areas (1 ha) under high Oriental fruit moth pressure.

Las plantaciones comerciales brasileñas de manzana son atacadas por un gran número de insectos plaga, entre ellas Bonagota salubricola y Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). La interrupción del apareamiento de B. salubricola y G. molesta fue evaluada en huerto de manzanas usando las formulaciones de feromonas pastosa, SPLAT Grafo + Bona (SG+B) y SPLAT Attract y Kill Grafo + Bona (SAKG+B), y comparado con los insecticidas estándares que se usan para el manejo en la Producción Integrada de Manzanas (PIM). Ambas formulaciones se aplicaron a una tasa de 1kg/ha el 10 de octubre de 2005 y el 13 de diciembre 2005 usando 300 y 1.000 fuentes puntuales /ha de SG+B y SAKG+B, respectivamente, en unidades experimentales de 7 ha. La captura de adultos machos de B. salubricola y G. molesta fue evaluada semanalmente en trampas Delta con feromona sexual sintética específica del 10 de octubre de 2005 al 14 de febrero de 2006. Los daños en las frutas se evaluaron el 21 de noviembre y 21 de diciembre de 2005, y el 25 de enero y 14 de febrero de 2006. En las unidades experimentales tratadas con SPLAT se observó una reducción significativa en el número de machos de B. salubricola y G. molesta capturados en trampas Delta en comparación con la unidad experimental PIM. El daño causado por B. salubricola en la cosecha varió desde 1,63 hasta 4,75%, sin diferencias entre los tratamientos, mientras que los daños causados por G. molesta estaban cerca de cero en todas las unidades experimentales. La interrupción del apareamiento con SG+B y SAKG+B fue suficiente para controlar B. salubricola y G. molesta con resultados equivalentes a las directrices de la PIM. Esta tecnología es promisoria para el manejo de ambas plagas en huertos de manzanas brasileños con reducción inmediata del 43% en el número de aplicaciones de insecticidas.

The apple is attacked by a significant number of insect pests in Brazilian commercial orchards, including Bonagota salubricola and Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Sexual disruption of B. salubricola and G. molesta was evaluated in apple orchard using the flowable pheromone formulations, SPLAT Grafo+Bona (SG+B), SPLAT Attract and Kill Grafo+Bona (SAKG+B), and compared with the standard insecticides used for management in the Integrated Apple Production (IAP) system. Both formulations were applied at a rate of 1kg/ha on October 10, 2005 and December 13, 2005 using 300 and 1000 point sources/ha of SG+B and SAKG+B, respectively in experimental units of 7 ha. Adult male captures of B. salubricola and G. molesta were evaluated weekly in Delta traps with specific synthetic sex pheromone from October 10, 2005 to February 14, 2006. Damage to fruits was evaluated on November 21 and December 21, 2005, and January 25 and February 14, 2006. In the SPLAT treated experimental units a significant reduction was observed in the number of B. salubricola and G. molesta males caught in Delta traps compared to the experimental unit IAP. Damage by B. salubricola at harvest ranged from 1.63 to 4.75% with no differences between treatments, while damage by G. molesta was near zero in all experimental units. Mating disruption using SG+B and SAKG+B was sufficient to control B. salubricola and G. molesta with results equivalent to IAP guidelines. This technology is promising for management of both pests in Brazilian apple orchards with immediate reduction of 43% in the number of insecticide applications.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a atração dos machos da traça-das-crucíferas (Plutella xylostella L., Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) por diferentes formulações do feromônio sexual sintético. Os tratamentos consistiram em: 1) formulação comercial; 2) Z11,16:Ald; 3) Z11,16:Ac; 4) mistura 7:3 de 2+3; 5) mistura 5:5 de 2+3; 6) septos de borracha com hexano (testemunha); e 7) cinco fêmeas virgens. A formulação comercial do feromônio sexual sintético propiciou maior captura de machos, não diferindo significativamente de fêmeas virgens e da mistura 5:5 utilizadas como isca. Os componentes isoladamente foram pouco atrativos aos machos. Foram testados cinco modelos de armadilhas. A armadilha Pherocon 1 CP (33,2 machos/armadilha/noite) foi a mais eficiente na captura de machos, seguida pelas armadilhas Cilíndrica Aberta, Cilíndrica Fechada, Delta e Redonda Aberta. Três alturas de instalação da armadilha foram avaliadas. Ocorreu significativamente maior captura de machos na altura do ápice das plantas (30 cm do solo). As alturas de 5 e 60 cm não diferiram entre si.

The aim of this work was to study the attractiveness of males of Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) to different formulations of synthetic sex pheromone. The treatments were: 1) commercial formulation; 2) Z11,16:Ald; 3) Z11,16:Ac; 4) binary blends 7:3 of 2+3; 5) binary blends 5:5 of 2+3; 6) rubber septa with hexane (control); 7) five virgin females. The commercial formulation of the synthetic sex pheromone was more attractive to males, and did not differ significantly from virgin females and binary blends 5:5 treatments. The components alone were less attractive to males. Five traps were evaluated: Pherocon 1 CP (wing trap), Delta, "PVC 200", "PVC 250" and Black Round Trap, where the wing trap was more effective in capturing males than the other traps tested. The wing trap was evaluated at 5, 30 and 60 cm. More males were caught at 30 cm above the ground level, while the height of 5 and 60 cm did not differ significantly.