Host location by adult and larval codling moth and the potential for its disruption by the application of kairomones

Many fruit boring insect pests are difficult to control because of the short time span during which the damaging stage can be targeted before it becomes protected by the host fruit. We investigated the host location behaviour of the codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Totricidae) to its apple host ( Malus domestica Mill.) in the laboratory, with a view to the potential for extending the susceptible time span by disrupting the host location behaviour of the insects. We found that apple extract arrested neonate larvae. It also both attracted adult female moths and stimulated oviposition. α farnesene did not result in these effects to the same degree, suggesting that other components of apple odour are also important in the host location behaviour of this insect. By presenting a source of apple extract alongside an apple host, we examined whether the location of the apple host by larval and adult moths could be disrupted. We found that the application of apple extract could significantly increase the time taken for neonate larvae to locate an apple source. The source of apple extract also competed with the apple host, resulting in fewer eggs being oviposited near the apples. The results suggest that it may be possible to disrupt the host location behaviour of both the neonate larval and adult stage by the application of host kairomones.