Canadian Forest Service Publications

Control of Douglas-fir tussock moth, Orgyia pseudotsugata using a pheromone and virus treatment. 1997. Hulme, M.; Gray, T.G. Technology Transfer in Mating Distribution 20(1): 133-137.

Year: 1997

Issued by: Pacific Forestry Centre

Catalog ID: 4881

Language: English

Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)

Mark record

Abstract

Virtually complete mating disruption of Douglas-fir tussock moth, Orgyia pseudotsugata, has been demonstrated by applying 72 g/ha of synthetic sex pheromone (Z)-6-heneicosen-11-one in polyvinyl chloride beads. This work marks the first successful demonstration of mating disruption of a forest pest in Canada. A similar result was obtained when the dosage was reduced below 20 g/ha. Application of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus is also known to be highly effective. Circumstances occur where a combined application of pheromone and virus may be more effective than either treatment alone. Examples are given based on practical considerations of the spray application, and on the possible biological properties of the applied spray developed from modeling.