The use of sex pheromone lures to compare pear and apple leafcurling midge phenology

Abstract

Pear leafcurling midge (Dasineura pyri PLCM) is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae and is a persistent pest in New ZealandWhilst mature trees can withstand considerable damage feeding by larvae can cause severe distortion (galling) of developing leaves on younger trees Apart from obvious leaf damage PLCM activity is difficult to detect so the recent development of the synthetic sex pheromone provides a useful monitoring tool for this pest Pear leafcurling midge pheromone traps were set up in four commercial pear blocks across the Nelson district which is the main commercial peargrowing area in New Zealand to assess the ability of the pheromone lure to monitor seasonal activity of the pest Trapping results are compared and discussed in relation to apple leafcurling midge activity in five apple blocks in the same region