Control (Light brown apple moth)

Control

Several insecticides are approved for control of tortricid moths and/or other caterpillars on apple in the UK and these are also applicable to light brown apple moth. Light brown apple moth is, fortuitously, controlled by several of the sprays targeted against codling moth and fruit tree tortrix moth.

As light brown apple moth is a comparatively new pest to Britain we have only limited experience in controlling it with insecticides and comprehensive efficacy trials have not been done on apple.

  • Chlorantraniliprole (Coragen) is thought to offer incidental control when applied against codling moth.
  • Pyriproxyfen (Harpun) may also offer incidental control of light brown apple moth when applied for codling moth control. It inhibits egg hatch, metamorphosis of nymphs to adults and reduces the fecundity of adult females. However, as a new product to the UK in 2020, further experience is required to inform growers and agronomists of its efficacy at controlling light brown apple moth.
  • On cherry, Bacillus thuringiensis (Dipel DF, Lepinox Plus) has given disappointing results.
  • Spray programmes applied for control of codling and tortrix moths on apple are likely to give good incidental control of light brown apple moth. However, special control measures may be required if damaging populations of the pest develop.
  • Sprays should be timed according to sex pheromone trap catches. Larvicides should be applied 7-10 days after a threshold catch of 30 moths per trap is reached, with sprays repeated at fortnightly intervals to give protection through the egg hatch period.
  • For details on how to use the various available insecticides, see fruit tree tortrix moth.

Insecticides approved for control of codling, tortrix moths (light brown apple moth) or caterpillars on apple

Choice of insecticides – efficacy factors
Active ingredient Trade name (examples) Class1 Selectivity Label rec’s2 Safety to Typhs Suggested interval between sprays (days)
Bacillus thuringiensis. var kurstaki Dipel DF, Lepinox Plus bacterial insecticide selective to caterpillars c safe 7
chlorantraniliprole Coragen (EAMU 0303/22) anthranilic amide selective c safe none sipulated
deltamethrin Decis Forte etc pyrethroid broad spectrum cm, t harmful none stipulated
pyriproxyfen Harpun metamorphosis inhibitor selective cm safe none stipulated
spinosad Tracer neural blocker selective c, cm, ftt,sft safe u
Choice of insecticides – Safety factor
Read and follow the label before applying any sprays
  Hazards2 Harvest interval (days) Max. no. sprays Buffer zone width (m)
Anticholin-Esterase? Humans Fish & aquatic life Bees
Bacillus thuringiensis no u u u Varies with product Varies with product 5
chlorantraniliprole no h ed h 14 1 30
deltamethrin no h, i ed d 7 u 50
pyriproxyfen no d t u fruit diameter up to 40mm 2 20
spinosad no u ed h 7 4 40
Keys:     1CSI=chitin synthesis inhibitor, JHA=juvenile hormone analogue, 2c=caterpillars, ftt=fruit tree tortrix, sft=summer fruit tortrix,  t=tortrix, wm=winter moth
3d=dangerous, ed=extremely dangerous, h=harmful, i=irritant,  t=toxic, u=no hazard specified