Progress in the application of IPM to control the oriental fruit moth (Grapholitha molesta) in China
Author of the article:FAN RenJun**,LIU ZhongFang,LU JunJiao,FENG YunTao, YU QinGAO Yue,ZHANG RunXiang
Author's Workplace：Institute of Plant Protection, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Taiyuan030032, China
Key Words：Grapholitha molesta, biological characteristics, IPM
Abstract： In recent years, the number of fruit varieties and area of fruit crops under cultivation has risen steadily following improvements in the horticulture industry in northern China. However, at the same time the damage caused by an important insect pest, the oriental fruit moth, Grapholitha molesta (Busck), has increased yearly. Biological and ecological characteristics of G. molesta, and the application of integrated pest management (IPM) to control this pest, were investigated at over 50 monitoring points established in northwestern, northeastern and central North China.The results indicate that climate change and orchard planting systems have significant impacts on the impact of G. molesta on fruit crops. The number of generations of G. molesta is increasing with climatic warming. Late peach crops are the major overwintering habitat of this pest in companion planting areas. Based on reassembling traditional control technologies, including agricultural, physical, biological and chemical controls, we suggest that greater emphasis be placed on the development and application of sex pheromone traps and domestic dispensers of mating disruption, the rearing and releasing of biological control agents, the development of exclusive insecticides and reducing insecticide use. The application of botanical baits and new methods of disrupting mating are addressed. Directions for further study are summarized in light of problems and weaknesses identified in the methods examined: (1) investigating the population dynamics of G. molesta under various global warming scenarios; (2) research on the chemical interactions between G. molesta and host plants; (3) developing technology to monitor pesticide resistance and a rapid diagnosis reagent kit; (4) research on the molecular mechanisms of resistance in G. molesta and how to manage this.