The control of Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) was assessed by using the mating disruption technique in an apple orchard in Fraiburgo, SC. Quant G.m. synthetic pheromone formulation (400 mg of (Z/E) - 8 - dodecenyl acetate 14% p/v) was used, with 500 dispensers per hectare, distributed over a 2.52 hectare 'Fuji' commercial orchard. The mating disruption treatment was compared with a chemical control treatment. The action threshold was determined by monitoring fruit flies Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae), G. molesta and leafroller Bonagota cranaodes (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). G. molesta was caught in the Delta traps installed in the mating disruption plot until 93 days from release of the pheromone. In this period, the mating disruption treatment was sprayed twice for fruit flies and leafrollers, and the chemical control plot received eight pesticides application. The damage caused by G. molesta in both treatments did not exceed 0.5%, even with a 77% reduction of insecticide in the mating disruption plot. We concluded that the mating disruption technique was efficient in the control of G. molesta.
apple orchard; mating disruption; oriental moth; chemical control
