Winter moths

The sex attractant of the female winter moth has been identified as the tetraene CH3(CH2)8CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH=CH2 Devise a synthesis of this material from 3 6 hexadecadien 1 ol and allyl alcohol... 

Ignoring Geigy s biologists, Muller continued testing. He tried DDT on root-eating May bugs, winter moths, and Colorado potato beetles, the scourge of Swiss potato fields. In a key trial, Muller went outside and sprin-... 

Apple problems Aphids like to colonize tender shoot tips if they go unnoticed, it may become neoessary to prune out badly infested and distorted growth near right). A proteotive band far right) used to prevent wingless female winter moths from olimbing trees to lay their eggs, may also help with aphid problems—by keeping ants, which farm aphids, out of the tree. 

Pick up fallen fruitlets, as these may house sawfly larvae. Earwigs may be found on fruits, but do not cause significant damage, and should be tolerated as they are excellent apple pest predators. In fall, remove mulches and rake up all fallen leaves, or mow over them so that they are taken down into the soil quickly, as they may harbor scab spores that could reinfect the tree in spring. Apply grease bands to trees and stakes to deter winter moths keep in place until early spring. After harvest, remove all unpicked fruits from the tree, and hang up fat to attract birds, which eat pests. 

Three compounds extracted from the female northern (beech) winter moth, Operophtera fagata Scharf (Lepidoptera Geometridae), elicited response from male antennae, and were identified as the female sex pheromone. The two major compounds found were (9Z )-nonadecene and 6Z, 9Z )-nonadecediene and the third compound found in very small quantities was identified as (1, 5Z, 6Z, 9Z )-nonadecatetraene. The third component has previously been identified as the sex pheromone of the common winter moth,0. brumata7 ... 

In the case of the winter moth, tannins may very well reduce assimilation by complexlng with dietary proteins. However, the assumption that this is how tannins inhibit growth in species other than the winter moth needs to be carefully re-examined. In the experiments cited above, mechanisms other than a reduction in assimilation appear to be operating. 

Feeny P. 1970. Seasonal changes in oak leaf tannins and nutrients as a cause of spring feeding by winter moth caterpillars. Ecology 51 565-581. 

R. F. (1982). Sex pheromone of the winter moth, a geometrid with unusually low temperature precopulatory responses. Science, 217, 657-659. 

Knauf, W., Bestmann, H. J., and Vostrowsky, O. (1984). Responses of male winter moths (Operophtera brumata) to their sex attractant (3Z,6Z,9Z)-l,3,6,9-nonadecatetraene and to some structural analogues. Entomol. Exp. Appl., 35, 208-210. 

Identification of polyenic hydrocarbons from the northern winter moth, Operophtera fagata, and development of a species specific lure for pheromone traps. Chemoecology, 14, 53-58. 

Deltamethrin is a crystalline powder, white or slightly beige in color. The formulations include emulsifiable concentrates, wettable powders, ultra-low volume and flowable formulations, and granules. There are no known incompatibilities with other common insecticides and fungicides. It is used as a contact poison to control apple and pear suckers, plum fruit moths, caterpillars on brassicas, pea moths, aphids (apples, plums, hops), winter moths (apples and plums), and codling and tortrix moths (apples). It also is used in control of aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, and whiteflies on glasshouse cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, potted plants, and ornamentals.9-11... 

Feeny and Bostock (37) have found a relationship between timing of an insect life cycle and plant palatability. Larvae of the winter moth Operophtera brumata feed in spring on young leaves of the deciduous oak Quercus robur. The larvae are apparently intolerant of high tannin content in leaves, and the authors found that tannin content was minimal... 

Tachinids parasitize winter moth caterpillars, codling moth caterpillars, noctuid moths, small ermine moths, beetle larvae. 

Bacillus thuringiensis is especially effective against winter moth caterpillars. 

Very deep damage, which becomes corky by autumn, is often found on fruit, as in the case of the winter moth. At harvesting time it is no longer possible to distinguish the damage from that caused by other caterpillars. 

Fig. 5.46. Winter moth caterpillar moving with typical looping action.

Fig. 5.47. Life cycle of the winter moth Operophtera brumata).

ENEMIES. Birds, especially coal-tits, are important enemies of winter moth caterpillars. The feeding requirements of these birds at brood time are very high (300 caterpillars/day for the brood). Coal-tits are capable of keeping winter moth infestation below the damage threshold. 

INSPECTION AND DAMAGE THRESHOLD. Winter moth Caterpillars are detected by visual inspection, with 100 blossom clusters being examined. The damage threshold is 10-15% of blossom clusters infested. 

Winter moth dormancy of check branch 2-3 eggs/1 m of apply sticky bands... 

Winter moth, fruitlet mining tortrix, noctuid moths Ingestion insecticide... 

Areas of application Mode of action How obtained Remarks Aphids, blossom weevils and other weevils, tortricids, winter moth, bugs, noctuid moths Contact, ingestion and inhalation insecticide Pyrethrum is produced from chrysanthemums and contains piperonyl butoxide as an additive which increases UV stability Very broad spectrum of action Not completely harmless to beneficials Pyrethrum is poisonous to fish Sprays consisting of pyrethrum alone are also commercially available (e.g. Spruzit)... 

Uses Control of over wintering of aphids, psyllids, ermine moths, winter moths, scale insects and spider mites on prone fruit, control on insects in vines, annual broadleaved weeds in cereals, maize, legumes, etc. 

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