Laboratory Infestation of Sweet Cherry by Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): Factors Affecting Survival1

Sweet cherries, Prunus avium L., from the United States must be fumigated to control codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), before exporting them to Japan. However, the status of sweet cherry as a true host for codling moth has been debated because of the limited survival of the pest. Previously, laboratory methods have been developed to rear the codling moth on sweet cherries to increase the understanding of the factors affecting host susceptibility and insect survival. Here, studies were conducted to determine potential factors that may influence rearing success of codling moth in cherry. Postharvest age of the cherry did not significantly affect codling moth survival. The type of container holding codling moth-infested fruits severely altered insect survival. A closed container resulted in a higher survival rate despite its promotion of fungal disease. Enclosed fruit retained more integrity than fruit in a more ventilated container. California cherries (cultivars ‘Bing’, ‘Brooks’, and ‘Tulare’) were no more susceptible to codling moth attack than cherries from the Pacific Northwest (cultivars ‘Bing’, ‘Cashmere,’ ‘Chelan’, ‘Rainier’, and ‘Van’). The walnut strain of codling moth was no more invasive than the Washington State laboratory strain used in previous studies.