Pg. 51-52 Field Evaluation of Last Call F .C.M. for the Control of False Codling Moth ( Cryptophlebia leucotreta) in Litchi Orchards

The false codling moth, Cryptophlebia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a pest of litchi, Litchi chinensis Sonnerat in South Africa. Eggs are laid on the fruit and newly hatched larvae eat through the skin and into fruit flesh and seed. In this study an attract and kill product, Last Call F.C.M. was tested for the control of C. leucotreta in litchi orchards. The trial was carried out on Friedenheim farm of the ARC-Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops situated near Nelspruit. Two hectares of the cultivar HLH Mauritius were used. One hectare was treated with Last Call F.C.M. 0.4% pheromone and 6% permethrin insecticide. The number of eggs and larvae infesting fruit in the treated and control plots were determined weekly. Last Call F.C.M. was able to reduce percentage of damage on litchi fruit. Adult moths trapped in the treated plot were less than in the control plot and it was concluded that Last Call F.C.M. shows potential as a controlling agent for C. leucotreta. In this experiment C. leucotreta was the only moth for which an insecticide was applied. Damage could have been less if C. peltastica was also addressed. Future research must aim at the development of a similar product for controlling C. peltastica.