Mathematical Descriptions of Rhyacionia frustrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Cumulative Catches in Pheromone Traps, Cumulative Eggs Hatching, and Their Use in Timing of Chemical Control

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Abstract
We developed a technique for predicting optimum times for chemical control of the Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustrana (Comstock), on 1- to 7-year-old pines in the southern United States. We performed regressions of the percentage of cumulative catch in pheromone traps against degree-days, and percentage cumulative eggs hatching against degree-days. Information from these analyses was used to develop a technique by which one can predict optimum timings for spraying each tip moth generation. The beginning of each generation is defined as the date on which the first moths are caught in pheromone traps. Degree-days are accumulated from this date until the appropriate sum is reached indicating the optimum date for insecticide application.