Integration of pheromone and light traps for mass trapping of leopard moth, Zeuzera Pyrina (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) in walnut orchards

Abstract

Leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina L., is a dangerous wood borer pest of the walnut trees in different parts of the world. The larvae bore deep into twigs, branches and trunks, and its chemical, biological and mechanical control is difficult, therefore use of mass trapping is an efficient method to reduce the pest population. The purpose of this study was to increase the efficiency of mass trapping by combining the light and pheromone baited traps in walnut orchards. The study was conducted based on the randomized complete block design with three treatments (pheromone trap, solar-powered insect light trap and combined pheromone trap and light) and six replicates during 2014-2015. Pheromone traps were installed one meter below the apical point of tree canopy before the starting of the adult emergence (May 10th). Observation was done weekly during the moth flight period and the number of captured moth was counted and compared in different treatments. Based on the results, in all sampling dates, the highest number of captured males (65.6±4.38 and 79.2±1.25 in 2014 and 2015, respectively) observed in combined pheromone trap and light, whereas the lowest (27.6±1.28 and 27.6±3.78 in 2014 and 2015, respectively) observed in the light trap treatment. Combining of light with pheromone trap significantly increased the efficiency of Z. pyrina mass trapping in the walnut orchards.

Keywords

• non-chemical control
• wood borer
• walnut
• sex pheromone
• light
• captured moth