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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #74827
Title: COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF TWO CONTROLLED-RELEASE GYPSY MOTH MATING DISRUPTION FORMULATIONS

Author
item THORPE, KEVIN
item Leonhardt, Barbara
item MASTRO, VICTOR - USDA APHIS
item LEONARD, DONNA - USDA FS
item MCLANE, WINFRED - USDA APHIS
item REARDON, RICHARD - USDA FS

Submitted to: Journal of Chemical Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/7/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The gypsy moth, which was accidentally released in Massachusetts in 1869, has now spread to 16 states where it is a major pest of forest and shade trees. In addition to the gradual expansion of its range, it also occasionally moves long distances on vehicles and other movable objects. Isolated infestations that result from this movement are eradicated to prevent this pest from becoming established in otherwise non-infested parts of the country. Mating disruption is an environment-friendly method of eradicating these isolated infestations by applying a large enough dose of the gypsy moth sex pheromone, disparlure, to confuse males and prevent mating. This study was conducted to compare two formulations of disparlure: 1) a 1 x 3 mm plastic flake which requires special equipment to apply from aircraft and 2) a microbead that can be applied from conventional aircraft equipment. Two separate tests were conducted on wooded plots in Virginia and data on impacts to gypsy moth populations were collected for up to two years after the application. Both formulations reduced gypsy moth mating by more than 97% and the number of fertile egg masses produced by more than 73% when compared to areas that were not treated. There were no detectable differences between the performance of the two formulations. This information will help government agencies and gypsy moth control specialists who are involved in gypsy moth mating disruption programs choose between these two formulations.

Technical Abstract: The effects of aerial applications of the gypsy moth sex pheromone, disparlure, on mating disruption and suppression of population growth of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), were investigated. Two formulations of disparlure, plastic laminate flakes applied in a single application and polymethacrylate beads applied in two applications, were compared in two separate tests conducted in 1993 and 1994. In 1993, the flakes were applied at a rate of 50 g a.i./ha, and the beads were applied at a rate of 15 g a.i./ha/application. In 1994, the flakes were applied at a rate of 75 g a.i./ha and the beads were applied at rates of 32.5 and 42.5 g a.i./ha/application. Larger particle size beads were used in 1994 to reduce the rate of disparlure release. Treatments applied in 1993 resulted in significant mating disruption and suppression of population growth. Reliable population growth data were not available for the treatments applied in 1994, but significant mating disruption did occur under both treatments. The flake formulation applied at a rate of 75 g a.i./ha released 1.22 g a.i./ha/d during the six weeks of potential male moth flight. The larger bead formulation applied in 1994 at a rate of 32.5 g a.i./ha released 0.48 g a.i./ha/d over the six weeks of potential male moth flight. The bead and flake formulations had similar effects on gypsy moth mating disruption and subsequent population growth.