ٍEfficiency of mating disruption for controlling the leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina L. (Lep.: Cossidae), in walnut orchards

Leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina L. (Lep.: Cossidae), is a key pest of walnut in Iran. The efficiency of mating disruption by two commercial products including Isonet® Z and Zeumat Universe® was evaluated in 2011 in East Azerbaijan and Kerman provinces. In each hectar, 300-600 pheromone dispensers for mating disruption were attached to the trees before the emergence of adults. Three pheromone traps were also installed in each plot to evaluate the orientation disruption before the adults' emergence. The pheromone traps did not capture any adult in the plots where mating disruption was performed during the experiment in both provinces while the traps caught the adults in the control plots. This result confirmed the efficiency of the used number of products for orientation disruption of the males. The averages of the number of larval entrances on the branches of plots where mating disruption was conducted by Isonet® Z, Zeumat Universe® and control were respectively 0.18 ± 0.03, 0.13 ± 0.02 and 0.45 ± 0.04 in Kerman province, 0.18 ± 0.03, 0.33 ± 0.04 and 0.63 ± 0.07 in East Azarbaiejan province and 0.18 ± 0.02, 0.2 ± 0.02 and 0.52 ± 0.04 (average ± S. E.) for the pooled data of both regions. There was a significant difference among the averages (P < 0.01).The results showed the efficiency of mating disruption technique by both products for reducing the damage of the pest even after one year. The number of larval entrances on the branches of the trees in mating disruption plots was 60-70% less than control plots. The results confirmed that the mating disruption with 300 pheromone dispensers of each product is efficient for reducing the damage of the pest in the walnut orchards