Advancing Sterile Insect Technique in Codling Moth by Investigating Release and Capture Methods
- Research Date
- 2022
- Authors
- Grieshop
- Priorities
- Best Practices, Pest Management
- Crop Categories
- Apples
- Beverage Categories
- Cider
Hard cider production is a rapidly growing sector of the MI Craft Brewing industry that relies on MI apple production. Codling moth is the number one insect pest of apples worldwide with pest management traditionally accomplished with broad spectrum neurotoxic insecticides. Alternative management strategies are important because of regulatory changes to available chemistries, insecticide resistance and consumer desire for products with low to no insecticide residues. Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) for codling moth is a pest management tactic that can reduce the need for insecticide applications and has been successfully applied in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). However, monitoring SIT moth activity in Michigan orchards has proven difficult and little information is available on best SIT moth release practices. For Michigan apple growers to adopt this sustainable tactic these knowledge gaps must be filled. Our project met the MCBA priority of improving control of insects and diseases.