Use of filbertworm (Cydia latiferreana) mating disruption within a hazelnut IPM program

The management of filbertworm, Cydia latiferreana (Walsingham) using synthetically formulated pheromones for mating disruption was studied as an alternative to grower standard full-cover insecticide applications in the McKenzie River Valley of Oregon during 2012–2013. The data indicate a significant reduction of filbertworm caught in pheromone-baited traps in plots subject to mating disruption compared to grower standard plots during both experimental seasons. Supplemental insecticide applications were applied to the borders of mating disruption plots, and these plots received 80% less pesticide (9.6 of 48 ha sprayed) compared to grower standard plots. There were no differences in crop damage between mating disruption plots and grower standard plots. Over the whole experimental period, counts of filbert aphid, Myzocallis coryli (Goeze), a secondary pest of hazelnuts, were 1.27–1.5 times higher in grower standard plots compared to mating disruption plots and percent parasitism of M. coryli by the parasitoid Trioxys pallidus (Haliday) was 1.3 times greater in mating disruption plots compared to grower standard plots. This indicates that mating disruption may have the additional benefit of conserving natural enemies in the orchard due to reduced levels of full cover broad-spectrum insecticide use. The average cost of mating disruption ($136.41 ha-1) is comparable to that of chemical management of filbertworm ($129.68 ha-1). Together these data suggest that maing disruption of filbertworm in conjunction with appropriately timed border sprays can be used as a viable alternative to grower standard filbertworm management using full-cover insecticide applications.