Attractiveness to Codling Moth of Substances Related to Those Elaborated by Heterofermentative Bacteria in Baits

Abstract

In 1937 the authors first reported (Eyer et al. 1937) on the possible role of certain species of bacteria in the production of attractive substances in a fermenting sirup solution (Brer Rabbit sirup 1 part volume to 9 parts of water) used as a bait for the adult codling moth, Carpocapsa pomonella L., in New Mexico. Of some 265 species of bacteria and yeasts found to be normal inhabitants of the bait flora, three in particular are receiving further study because their consistent occurrence throughout the season in such baits has been demonstrated and also because further comprehensive field tests over two seasons, 1937 and 1938, demonstrated that cane sirup bait fermented by pure cultures of these species usually attracts more codling moth adults than does the same bait when allowed to ferment in the field through natural contamination from the mixed bacterial and fungal flora of the surrounding air. The results of two such field comparisons are presented in table 1, A and B.