D3432: Reassessing generalized mating disruption principles: Managing key lepidopteran pests in smaller orchard blocks

Mating disruption is an IPM tool which is commonly used in apple orchards to manage Lepidopteran pests, such as codling moth (CM) and oriental fruit moth (OFM), however these products are generally recommended for use in blocks >5 acres in a flat, uniform landscape. Many orchard blocks in the Eastern USA are moving towards smaller, high density plantings and thus don’t fulfil the recommended criteria. We assessed CM and OFM trap captures and fruit damage in apple blocks < 1 acre that underwent mating disruption only, standard insecticide sprays, or no management.