Pg. 34-37 Evaluate four different loading rates of Litchi Fruit Moth Pheromone Mix (Z 8-12 Ac 95%: E 8-12 Ac 5%) within the novel Last Call™ matrix against Cryptophlebia peltastica

The field trial was conducted to test the ideal loading rate of the Litchi Fruit Moth Pheromone mix (Z 8-12 Ac 95%: E 8-12 Ac 5%) (LFM Mix) in the novel Last Call™ matrix. These different formulations where placed out within Yellow Delta Trap TM within litchi orchards in the Levubu and Tzaneen areas, South Africa, during the litchi production season. Male moths were successfully attracted and caught throughout the trial.

Summary:

• The study tested four different loading rates (0.0, 0.16, 0.8, 1.6) of the Litchi Fruit Moth (LFM) Pheromone Mix (Z 8-12 Ac 95 E 8-12 Ac 5) in a novel Last Call matrix to attract male Cryptophlebia peltastica moths in litchi orchards.
• Trials were conducted in two South African litchi-producing areas: Levubu and Tzaneen, using Yellow Delta Traps baited with the pheromone formulations over 84 and 63 days respectively.
• The litchi fruit moth is a major pest that lays eggs on fruit, with larvae damaging fruit and seeds, causing significant losses.
• The 0.8 loading rate of the pheromone mix trapped the highest number of male moths in both trial sites: 1.5 moths per trap per day in Levubu and 7.8 moths per trap per day in Tzaneen.
• Lower and higher loading rates (0.16 and 1.6) trapped fewer moths, indicating the 0.8 rate is optimal both in effectiveness and cost.
• Yellow Delta Traps with the Last Call LFM formulation at 0.8 loading rate are recommended for effective and economical monitoring of C. peltastica populations.
• The formulation will be further tested in commercial blocks at different application rates for validation and potential wider deployment.