Sex Pheromone Trapping Red-Banded Leaf Roller Moths and Development of a Long-Lasting Polyethylene Wick12

Abstract
Field tests with sex pheromone extracts of the redbanded leaf roller moth, Argyrotaenia velutinana (Walker), in 1966 and with extracts and synthetic attractant in 1968 have been conducted, Crude extracts placed on dental wicking were highly attractive to male moths the first day and night, but caught very few thereafter. The synthetic attractant was placed on various wick designs. A small polyethylene cap proved to be the best wick for releasing the attractant at an optimum rate for almost a year. Trap studies indicated that black traps are better than white and that the traps should have at least 1½-in, openings in each end. A 20-acre apple orchard trapping experiment utilizing the new wicks and traps was conducted in 1968. Partial control was effected, but the traps did not compete well enough with the build-up of females. A number of pheromone traps containing a synergist showed a 10-fold increase in males trapped and indicated their potential for further mass trapping experiments.