Development of Monitoring and Mating Disruption against the Chilean Leafroller Proeulia auraria (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Orchards

摘要

Proeulia auraria is a native and growing pest insect in fruit orchards in Chile, which calls for environmentally friendly management methods. Using synthetic pheromone compounds, we conducted field trials to optimize the septa load for monitoring adult moths. Using the optimized blend we studied the phenology of males in vineyards, apples, and blueberries, finding two large flight cycles lasting from September to May. Afterward, based on field trials, we concluded that 250 point sources loaded with a total of 78 g/ha of the pheromone blend, provided high disruption of male-female encounters for mating in all crops tested for at least 5 months. We concluded that mating disruption is feasible for P. auraria, needing now the development of a commercial product and of protocols to control this pest.