Preliminary Evaluation of a Granulosis Virus for Control of the Codling Moth1

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Abstract
A granulosis virus propagated in larvae of Carpocapsa pomonella (L.) reared on a semisynthetic diet caused heavy larval mortality in a field population of codling moth when sprayed on apple trees during a 2-year study period. A small percentage of the larvae succumbed to the virus before entering the fruits, while the majority perished soon after feeding on the epidermis of virus-sprayed fruits. Of the small percentage of larvae that succeeded in boring deeply into the fruits the majority died within the apples and a few succumbed as mature larvae or pupae in cocooning sites. Results indicated considerable potential for the use of this virus against codling moth in integrated-control and sterile-male-release programs.