Russell IPM manufacture and supply pheromone lures, traps and complete monitoring systems for artichoke moth, Gortyna xant. Pheromone trap data gives early warning of the infestation and also exhibits the density of the insect population.
This pest develops on artichoke. Adults are nocturnal, 50 to 60 mm wingspan. The female lays up to 1300 eggs in 2 or 3 groups at the base of the foot of artichoke. The young caterpillar climbs along the plant and nibbles the upper epidermis of the leaves; it then penetrates the veins. It then eats through the centre of the stem and reaches the head where it forms large galleries The adults appear from the beginning of October to mid- November. The eggs hatch from December to February. The caterpillars develop inside the plant until pupating in these same galleries (according to inra.fr).
The artichoke moth is the most important pest of the artichoke in the Mediterranean basin. Larvae will feed on any part of the plant, but the economic damage occurs when they feed on the floral buds. The damage it causes can be considerable: the heads are lost and, furthermore, the weakened plant does not produce any more flowers.
Russell IPM manufactures and supplies pheromone lure – the Qlure, traps and complete monitoring systems for Gortyna xanthenes, Artichoke Moth.
Pheromone trap data gives early warning of the infestation and will also alert the user to a low level of population before it becomes serious.
The lure can be best applied with the Mothcatcher trap or Delta trap.
Lures
Lures can be changed every 4-6 weeks to get the most accurate results.
Lures handling
Pheromone lures are a very sensitive tool. They can be affected by exposure to elevated heat and direct sunshine. Direct touching by hand may cause cross contamination leading to mixed catches in the trap. Some contaminants such as Nicotine May have repellent effect reducing trap catch.
Lure Storage
Store in a cool dry place. Shelf life can vary from 3-36 months depending on the storage temperature. See Technical Data Sheet for further details.
The Deltra trap is the most sensitive trap to use for monitoring this insect. However, Moth catcher may be used in dusty conditions or in high moth population density.
Do not re-use the trap to monitor different insects as this may lead to mixed catches. One trap for every two hectares of large scale fields of homogenous lands.
Two traps per hectare (2trap/ha) for small holdings and in field of uneven topography.
Place traps near the highest point of the plant using supporting posts approximately 1 meter high, or higher if the crop is higher.
Collect data weekly from the start of the flight of the over wintering generation. During the height of the population more frequent reading may be needed. Decisions on pesticide application should not be taken solely on the trap catch data. Climatic and biological considerations should be taken in account.