Pheromone Communication Disruption of the Grape Berry Moth with Microencapsulated and Hollow Fiber Systems 12

Abstract

A microencapsulated pheromone formulation for the grape berry moth, Paralobesia viteana , was used at the rate of 25 g pheromone/ha. A schedule of 20 sprays over a 103-day period gave ca. 95% disruption of ♂ orientation to pheromone traps. Grape berry injury was reduced by 87% compared to the check plot. Each application of microencapsulated pheromone was found to be effective in disrupting ♂ orientation for ca. 5–7 days. Hollow fibers were found to be very steady and efficient releasers of pheromone, giving excellent ♂ orientation disruption for at least 70 days. The results obtained with P. viteana also are supported by data simultaneously collected with Episimus argutanus , which is attracted to the same chemical, ( Z )-9-dodecenyl acetate.