Xtremehorticulture

Using Pheromone Traps in Fruit Trees

Q. I was reading about pheromone traps for insect control
on fruit trees. What insect pests occur here that I can use with pheromone
traps and reduce the need for chemical spraying?

A. Pheromone traps release insect pheromones, or “scents”,
that attract other insects needed for their reproduction or survival. Pheromone
traps are used to either determine when spraying insecticides is most effective
or, in some cases, to reduce the need for spraying insecticides altogether. A
different pheromone trap is required for each insect.
            Pheromones
are not available for every insect, but a different pheromone is required for
each insect you want to control. Two insects I have successfully caught in
pheromone traps include the peach twig borer (wormy peaches) and coddling moth
(wormy apples and pears). I have been successful using them in what is called
“mating disruption” and totally avoided the need for spraying chemicals to
control these two pests.
            The trap
is made from cardboard with a sticky bottom surface combined with a rubber lure
impregnated with a chemical pheromone. Buy the winged traps and not the Delta
traps and the highest concentration of pheromone you can buy in a lure. The
trap combined with a fresh lure is hung in the branches of trees you want to
protect.
            Hang
traps with the lures in the trees beginning in about April. Replace the old
lure with a fresh one about every thirty days. The sticky surface of the trap
should be replaced when it gets dirty or full of insects. Watch for a class on
pheromone traps offered by me here in Las Vegas in early April on Eventbrite.

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