Codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) management a potential threat to horticulture industry

Abstract

The strategies for Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) control has undergone the major changes brought about by a need for more IPM- selective control tactics like, resistance development and regulatory restrictions. The pheromonal control technologies are ready to replace the organophosphates insecticides which have been the backbone of codling moth control for many years. The pheromonal control includes the use of mating disruption or attracts and kill and auto confusion, while as the other control strategies comprise of insect growth regulators and microbial agents. In contrast to synthetic chemical control, the future control programs will likely include a variety of tactics merged into a unified program to achieve population reduction and economic control without impacting biological control of other pests. Monitoring efforts of codling moth populations in commercial orchard must be intensified through mating disruption to make these programs successful and reduce the risk of unacceptable fruit damage. Considering the high annual control costs, a sterile insect release program may be economical in the long run to deal with the most important insect pests of apples and pears.