Codling Moths: Suppression of Populations from Releases of Sterile Insects in the Wenas Valley of Washington, 19721

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Abstract
Population estimates for native Laspeyresia pomonella (L.) are based on infested fruit. Orchards (419 acres) produced an estimated 21,025 larvae during the season notwithstanding the total release of 1.8 million males and females irradiated with 30 krad of gamma irradiation and removal of infested fruit. Trapping data indicated critically low ratios of sterile: native males (<20:1) in various areas of the release orchards during at least 7 weekly trapping periods. A 3-yr comparison of the numbers of native males trapped indicated a 93% population reduction throughout the valley and 63% within the 3 major commercial orchards. The principal causative factors for this reduction are chemical sprays and removal of abandoned host trees. Although the sterile-insect-technique limited the potential growth of the codling moth population, a 1972 harvest infestation in the Northwestern-Longmire orchard of 0.129% compared to 0.002% for 1971 indicated the need for modifications of the program or alternative control measures.

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