Moth Investigation Part 3.

Moth Investigation Part 3. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

Both the coddling moth and the oblique banded leafroller have been getting some attention lately by WSU students and staff. A lot of “what if” questions. And they have been getting some good research. Teah Clement-Smith, WSU Graduate Research Assistant has been studying a number of aspects of the moths when it comes to exposure to certain pesticides and how that affects flight and reproduction.

CLEMENT-SMITH: Yes.At least three we saw a very significant results both with the flight mills and the wind tunnel studies. And those three compounds were Altacore, Cyazypyr and Warrior.

She found that even in very minor amounts these compounds had a very dramatic affect on the moths flight and reproduction. Part of the work has been completed but she is moving it into a different phase.

CLEMENT-SMITH: I’m done with my Masters but we’re now currently using the laboratory studies that I did with my Masters and applying them to more field based studies. So far what we’re seeing is that with my Masters I applied the residues to a cup and we’re applying the chemicals to leaves now and we’re seeing the same results that these residues have the same effect that we were seeing the laboratory.

The rates are at the sub-lethal level but are still doing a good job of interrupting the moth’s flight and reproduction cycles.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.