Propagation of the Oriental fruit moth under Central California conditions

Smith, L; Summers, F

Propagation of the Oriental fruit moth under Central California conditions

Authors

Leslie M. Smith
Francis M. Summers

Authors Affiliations

Leslie M. Smith was Associate Professor of Entomology and Associate Entomologist in the Experiment Station; Francis M. Summers was Assistant Entomologist in the Experiment Station.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 18(10):369-387. DOI:10.3733/hilg.v18n10p369. September 1948.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

Abstract does not appear. First page follows.

Introduction

Since 1943 the State Department of Agriculture has discovered low populations of the Oriental fruit moth, Grapholitha molesta Busck, in several widely scattered peach-growing localities in central California. The San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys which comprise this area contain a large proportion of all peach plantings within the state. These valleys have a different climate from that encountered by the Oriental fruit moth in other important peach-producing states. The very hot, dry summers and mild, foggy winters, the extensive practice of irrigation, and the very long growing season—averaging 289 days in the vicinity of Fresno (Bonnett, 1941)4—are environmental factors which may affect the future development of the Oriental fruit moth populations.

In the course of a general study of the life history of the Oriental fruit moth in central California, a number of experiments were performed in the insectary at Dinuba to determine whether or not the hot summer climate of the central-valley area retards its propagation; and, if so, whether it is retarded enough to reduce the potentiality of the moth as a pest. It is the purpose of this report to describe this phase of the life-history work, and to present other observations on mating and oviposition which have a bearing on the dispersal and build-up in thinly distributed populations of Oriental fruit moths such as now occur in this part of the state.

Methods and Stocks

The moths were reared in a screened insectary and subjected as nearly as possible to outdoor conditions. The cages and other receptacles were constructed of light materials, thin sheet plastic and cheesecloth or gauze, in order to minimize the time required for their interiors to come into equilibrium with atmospheric conditions during rapid weather changes.

Literature Cited

Bonnett W. E. Annual meteorological summary with comparative data. 1941. Fresno, Calif.: U. S. Dept. of Commerce Weather Bureau, Weather Bureau Office. 9p.

Cagle L. Life history of the Oriental fruit moth in Virginia. Virginia Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 1930. 270:1-48.

Dustan G. G. The influence of unfavourable feeding conditions on the survival and fecundity of Oriental fruit moths. Canad. Ent. 1935. 67:89-90. DOI: 10.4039/Ent6789-5 [CrossRef]

Garman P. The Oriental peach moth in Connecticut. Connecticut Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 1930. 313:395-451. 12 pls.

McConnell H. S. The Oriental fruit moth in Maryland. Maryland Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 1934. 364:411-56.

Miller E. C. Plant physiology. 1938. 2d.ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Book Company. xxxi + 1201p. DOI: 10.2307/1296918 [CrossRef]

Miller E. C., Saunders A. R. Some observations on the temperature of the leaves of crop plants. Jour. Agr. Res. 1923. 26:15-43.

Neiswander R. B. Oriental fruit moth investigations in Ohio, II. Ohio Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 1936. 569:1-29.

Peterson A., Haeussler G. J. Life history of the Oriental fruit moth at Riverton, N. J., in relation to temperature. U. S. Dept. Agr. Tech. Bul. 1930. 183:1-37.

Smith A. M. On the internal temperature of leaves in tropical insolation, with special reference to the effect of their color on the temperature. … Peradeniya Roy. Bot. Gard. Ann. 1909. 4:229-98.

Snapp O. I., Swingle H. S. Life history of the Oriental peach moth in Georgia. U. S. Dept. Agr. Tech. Bul. 1929. 152:1-16.

Stearns L. A., Neiswander R. B. Oriental fruit moth investigations in Ohio. I. Ohio Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 1930. 457:1-36.

Steiner L. F., Yetter W. P. Second report on the efficiency of bait traps for the Oriental fruit moth as indicated by the release and capture of marked adults. Jour. Econ. Ent. 1933. 26:774-88.

Yetter W. P., Steiner L. F. A preliminary report on large-scale bait trapping of the Oriental fruit moth in Indiana and Georgia. Jour. Econ. Ent. 1931. 24:1181-97.

Also in this issue:

Red Bluff Bull Sale —an analysis of the 14-year history of the country's largest graded range bull sale

Lamb growth after early weaning

a new insect pest of Christmas trees

Temperature changes in Fuerte avocado from tree to market

Iron additives influence plant reactions to 2,4-D concentrations

Heat controls nematodes in sweet potato roots

California canned fruits in international trade

Adequate soil-oxygen supplies increase nutrient concentrations in citrus seedlings

Live performance and carcass trail comparisons of crossbred with straight bred Hereford and Angus calves