Updated 01/16/09

Eric H. LaGasa¹, John Agnesani², Sahabra Tipton², and Denise Bowden²

Background

Figure. 1 Plum Fruit Moth Life Stages and Damage Photo by Coutin R. / OPIE

Native to Eurasia and North Africa, the plum fruit moth (PFM) is an important pest of plums, peaches, and the fruit of other Prunus varieties in its' native range (Figure 1). To date PFM has not been found in North America and, as an exotic pest threat to North American agriculture, is regulated by both the USDA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

2002 Project Objective

Conduct pheromone-trap survey throughout populous western Washington to detect PFM.

• Place and monitor pheromone-traps in areas of commercial, home orchard, and feral Prunus culture.
• Screen and identify captured specimens, including nontarget material when possible.

Project Methods and Materials

Three hundred and eighty-two pheromone-lure baited traps were placed in counties along the Interstate-5 corridor in western Washington, from the Canadian border south to Clark County on the Columbia River / Oregon border (Table 1). Traps were hung in roadside or residential yard trees, primarily in areas where home orchards could provide Prunus spp. hosts. Trap placement began in June and most traps were removed by the end of August. Traps were checked and pheromone lures changed every two weeks as much as possible during the expected (probable) period of adult flight. Traps with specimens were processed at the Olympia Entomology Lab, where suspect target and nontarget specimens present were identified and counted.

Pherocon 2® type traps (a.k.a. "diamond" traps) were used in this survey, baited with pheromone-lures provided by the USDA APHIS Otis Methods Development Center. The PFM pheromone-lures consisted of gray rubber septa (West Co., Lionville, PA, cat. no. 1060-0275), each loaded with the following components:

0.1 mg of Z-8-12:AC
0.004 mg of E-8-12:AC
0.025 mg of Z-8-14:AC
0.005 mg of Z-10-14:AC
0.2 mg of 14:AC

Project Results

No plum fruit moth specimens were collected in this survey.
A complete list of non-target species captured in this survey (23 spp. / 7,274 specimens) is available from the author.

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Funding for field and lab support staff for this survey was provided in part by a Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) grant from the USDA APHIS Western Region (#02-8553-0249-CA). 1Eric LaGasa, Chief Entomologist, Pest Program / Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture,  P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, Washington  98504-2560,  (360) 902-2063  PestProgram@agr.wa.gov 2Entomology Aides (Project) - Washington State Dept. of Agriculture, Olympia, Washington 98504-2560 Inquiries regarding availability of this publication in alternative formats should be directed to the WSDA Receptionist at (360) 902-1976.