Distribution of adult stages of soil insect pests across an agricultural landscape

The landscape scale distributions of adult male click beetles of the species Agriotes lineatus, A. obscurus and A. sputator, and the cranefly Tipula paludosa were studied using traps along transects over 2 years. The transects (0.7–1.7 km with either sex pheromone (Agriotes) or water (T. paludosa) traps at 100 m spacings) were in an area of mixed organic land use. Agriotes lineatus was the most numerous click beetle caught even though its larvae were absent from these fields. Greater trap counts were found for all taxa except A. obscurus in grassland. The number of click beetles were influenced by the sampling year, crop type and the species, and interactions of other variables, suggesting that sex pheromone trap counts exhibit variability because of the complexity of the environment. Trap catches were spatially clustered with the exception of A. lineatus in 2005 which had a random distribution. Only A. sputator showed a significant, positive relationship between counts in 2005 and 2006. Variation in catch count of crane flies was largely determined by crop type. We conclude that Agriotes spp. disperse widely and may be recruited from outside the field which makes the interpretation of sex pheromone trap counts scientifically challenging.     

Occurrence of Agriotes wireworms in Austrian agricultural land

Agriotes wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) are abundant soil-dwelling herbivores which can inflict considerable damage to field crops. In Europe up to 40 species occur, differing in their ecology and pest status. Their distribution in the larval stage, however, has rarely been assessed because of the considerable effort in collecting wireworms and the difficulties in identifying them to species-level. Here, we examined the occurrence of Agriotes wireworms in Austrian agricultural land with regard to their association with climatic and soil parameters. Using a molecular identification system, 1348 field-collected larvae from 85 sites were identified to species-level. Three species, Agriotes obscurus, Agriotes brevis, Agriotes ustulatus, and two that could not be discerned molecularly (Agriotes lineatus and Agriotes proximus), were assigned to two ecological groups: (i) A. brevis/A. ustulatus, found in areas with a warmer, drier climate and alkaline soils, and (ii) A. obscurus/A. lineatus/proximus which occur mainly at higher altitude characterised by lower temperatures, higher precipitation and acidic, humus-rich soils. Agriotes sputator was abundant throughout Austria, confirming its euryoecious nature. Only one larva of Agriotes litigiosus was found, prohibiting further analysis. These data contribute to a characterisation of species-specific traits in Agriotes larvae in agricultural land, an important prerequisite to develop efficient control strategies for these wireworms.     

A new and highly effective male lure for the guava fruit fly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bactrocera correcta</Emphasis>

Bactrocera correcta is an economically important and invasive fruit fly pest. As part of the quest to develop new chemical attractants for potential control of this species, we had previously detected a large amount of β-caryophyllene (CAR) in the pheromone glands of wild B. correcta males. This compound was found in addition to the metabolites from consumed methyl eugenol (ME), a common male lure used for many Bactrocera species. We conducted bioassays to compare the attractiveness of CAR and ME to male B. correcta, determine the behavioural and chemo-ecological basis of the attraction and to monitor their trapping efficacy. Males of B. correcta responded strongly to CAR at a much younger age before sexual maturity compared to ME. CAR feeding increased the male mating success in comparison with lure-deprived males, and CAR-fed males were equally competitive as ME-fed males when competing for conspecific females in semi-field trials. Field trapping data also revealed that ME-baited traps captured both B. dorsalis and B. correcta, while CAR-baited traps brought in only B. correcta males. Numbers of total flies trapped per trap per day (FTD) were also significantly higher in traps baited with CAR compared to ME-baited traps, capturing up to seven times more B. correcta males. This study demonstrated that CAR is a more specific and potent male lure than ME for B. correcta. This discovery may contribute to improve the tools currently available for pest management and border biosecurity against B. correcta.     

Physical exclusion of adult click beetles from wheat with an exclusion trench

Click beetles, the adult stage of wireworms, will enter fields of their preferred hosts (i.e., grasses, pasture, and cereals) from various reservoir habitats, and lay eggs which give rise to wireworm problems in subsequent years. To prevent click beetles, Agriotes obscurus, from immigrating into fields, a portable trench barrier composed of an extruded, PVC plastic trough was evaluated in 2001 in Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada. Plots of wheat or bare ground that were surrounded by trenches had significantly lower numbers of males in pheromone traps and females in pitfall traps relative to non-trenched plots. Exclusion was more pronounced in the first part of the study (about 75 % reduction) than later in the study (30–42 %), likely due to gradual within plot emergence of overwintered beetles and/or flight activity. The potential for use of exclusion devices for click beetle control and future directions for research are discussed.     

Fängigkeit von differenziert bestückten Borkenkäferpheromonfallen in einem niedersächsischen Forstgebiet bei Hannover während der Jahre 1992 und 1993

In the years 1992 and 1993 blackTheysohn slit-traps were set up in a forest area near Hanover, Germany. The traps were baited with combinations of the synthetic bark beetle pheromones Pheroprax^®, Chalcoprax^®, Linoprax^®, and Cembrax^®. Their captivity was tested in comparison to singly baited and control traps without pheromone. Additionally, combinations of Pheroprax+Cembrax and Linoprax+Cembrax were tested. The captivity numbers obtained fromIps typographus, Pityogenes chalcographus, Xyloterus lineatus andX. domesticus were discussed in relation to the differently baited traps. In the latter three species, females and males were separated. The periods of flight activity of the four Scolytidae baited were ascertained for both years. Concerning the singly baited traps, Pheroprax captured the highest amount ofIps typographus per trap, its population increased 9% in 1993 related to that of 1992. ForP. chalcographus, the combination of the four pheromones resulted in a little higher number of individuals than in singly baited traps.Xyloterus lineatus preferred the four-pheromone combination, in which Linoprax was present showing a synergistic effect of baiting. In contrary, the baiting ofX. domesticus was lower by the combined pheromones than by Linoprax alone. The latter was found in lower numbers thanX. lineatus. The trapped amounts of both Xyloterus species were continuously reduced throughout the years 1989 to 1993. The Coleoptera species, not specially trapped, amounted yearly to 0.6–0.7% of the collected individuals.P. chalcographus was collected to 85–87%, andIps typographus to 11–14% of the total amount of Coleoptera trapped.     

Efficacy of LED-enhanced blue sticky traps combined with the synthetic lure Lurem-TR for trapping of western flower thrips (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Frankliniella occidentalis</Emphasis>)

Pest monitoring is an important tool for successful integrated pest management programmes. Blue sticky traps are important for monitoring western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, in greenhouses. However, blue sticky traps have three major weak points: (1) efficacy depends on reflection of light, which varies in intensity with fluctuating light conditions (season, diurnal rhythmic pattern), (2) they reflect broad wavelength pattern not optimally matching with maximum sensitivity of WFT photoreceptors, and (3) they offer no olfactory cues which are important for thrips orientation. This study explored the most attractive wavelength range for WFT using broad range of narrow-bandwidth light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in order to improve the attractiveness of blue sticky traps. Subsequently, trapping efficacy of the most attractive blue LED in combination with blue sticky trap and addition of an attractive lure (Lurem-TR) was evaluated in flight cages under greenhouse conditions. Release-capture studies revealed that LEDs with peak emission of 445 nm were clearly more effective than conventional blue sticky traps. In choice experiments, up to 2.7-fold and in no-choice experiment up to 2.1-fold more WFT were captured by LED-blue sticky traps compared to conventional reflecting blue sticky traps. Lurem-TR improved the performance of blue sticky traps and LED-blue sticky traps 2.3-fold and 2.0-fold, respectively, as compared to those without Lurem-TR. The addition of LEDs and kairomone lure to blue sticky traps seems promising for improving WFT trapping, specifically at low population densities especially during early infestation. However, these results should be further validated under more complex, large field conditions.     

Flight activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptolestes ferrugineus</Emphasis> in southern New South Wales,Australia

Spatial and temporal aspects of flight activity of the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), were investigated in a grain-growing district in southern New South Wales, Australia. This species is now considered an important economic pest in Australia due to the development of a high level of resistance to phosphine. Flight activity was monitored at 4-weekly intervals near and away from grain silos. We present data for the first time from trapping with a commercial aggregation pheromone lure (active trapping phase), as well as data on C. ferrugineus by-catch from trapping using an aggregation pheromone lure for another species (passive trapping phase). There was a strong seasonal pattern to flight activity, with no flight detected during the winter months of June, July, or August. This appears to be primarily related to ambient temperature, with maximum temperatures above 20 °C initiating flight. Beetles were trapped both near and away from grain storages, demonstrating flight dispersal in the farm environment. The results of this study in southern New South Wales also show that C. ferrugineus beetles of both sexes are flying in the farm environment. During the passive trapping phase, the sex ratio of trapped beetles did not deviate from 1:1, but during active trapping, the sex ratio was biased to females (3:1). While more work is required, information garnered from this study provides a basis for management strategies for the control of C. ferrugineus in south-eastern Australia.     

华山松大小蠹的一种高效引诱剂

华山松大小蠹Dendroctonus armandi Tsai et Li是危害我国华山松Pinus armandii的主要蛀干害虫。收集和测定华山松树皮和华山松大小蠹的挥发物,根据挥发物组分设计配制8种诱芯,采用漏斗诱捕器进行林间诱捕筛选试验;应用诱芯Ⅱ进行多点诱捕验证和有效诱捕距离试验。结果表明:诱捕期内,诱芯Ⅱ平均诱捕华山松大小蠹1 070头/诱捕器,显著高于其它7种诱芯;单个诱捕器一天最多诱捕1 652头。诱芯Ⅱ在3个地点的平均诱捕量差异不显著,分别为83,114,101头/诱捕器,诱捕效果不存在地理差异;距离林缘50 m处诱捕量为43.5头/诱捕器,为最佳有效诱捕距离。该华山松大小蠹高效引诱剂可为我国华山松大小蠹的治理提供新技术。     

Factors affecting field performance of pheromone traps for tobacco beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lasioderma serricorne</Emphasis>, and tobacco moth, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ephestia elutella</Emphasis>

Tobacco beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae), is one of the most serious insect pests of stored tobacco, and traps baited with the female-produced sex pheromone, serricornin, are used for monitoring the pest. In two trapping experiments carried out in tobacco warehouses in Greece, two commercially available trap and lure systems for L. serricorne were found to be equally effective in terms of the numbers of beetles trapped. In contrast to previous reports, anhydroserricornin was unattractive and lures containing serricornin and anhydroserricornin were less attractive than lures containing serricornin only. The sex pheromone of the other main insect pest of tobacco, Ephestia elutella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), could be added to the lures without affecting the attractiveness of either pheromone to their respective species. Lures remained attractive for at least 4 weeks under field conditions, and, in laboratory tests, release of pheromone could still be detected after 30 days at 27 °C. The stereoisomeric composition of the serricornin in the two commercial lures was similar with high proportions of the attractive (4S,6S,7S)-isomer. The proportion of the (4S,6S,7R)-isomer was low, and this is known to reduce the attractiveness.     

IPM thresholds for Agriotes wireworm species in maize in Southern Europe

Currently, integrated pest management (IPM) of wireworms is not widespread in Europe. Therefore, to estimate the densities of three major wireworm species in southern Europe (Agriotes brevis Candeze, A. sordidus Illiger, and A. ustulatus Schäller), bait traps were deployed pre-seeding in maize fields in north-eastern Italy between 1993 and 2011. Research discovered that there was a significant correlation between all three wireworm species caught in the bait traps and damage to maize plants, but damage symptoms varied. Wherever A. ustulatus was the main species caught, there was no significant damage to maize plants, but seeds were damaged. Most of the symptoms caused by A. brevis and A. sordidus were to the central leaf/leaves, which wilted because of feeding on the collar. A. brevis was the most harmful species; when more than one A. brevis wireworm was caught per trap, plant damage sometimes resulted in reduced yield. Five A. ustulatus larvae per trap caused the same damage to maize as one A. brevis. A. sordidus came second (threshold two larvae/trap). These thresholds are reliable for: (1) bare soil in which there are no alternative food sources; (2) average soil temperature 10 cm beneath the surface of above 8 °C for 10 days; (3) soil humidity near to field water capacity, but days of flooding have not been considered. The implementation of the practical method described herein may lead to effective IPM of wireworms in maize and to a significant reduction in the number of fields treated with soil insecticides.     

Effect of (+)-limonene and 1-methoxy-2-propanol on Ips typographus response to pheromone blends

We compared two different strategies to increase the catches of Ips typographus (L.), particularly males, in pheromone-baited traps. The first of these strategies, the barrier approach, used alternating pheromone blends, targeting males and females respectively, in closely-spaced traps forming a barrier around forest stands. The second strategy, the single trap approach, used widely-spaced traps that were all baited with the same lure and intended to trap the highest possible numbers of males without compromising trapping of females. In the blend used for the barrier traps targeting primarily males, with a lower percentage of (4S)-cis-verbenol (cV), the (−)-α-pinene was replaced step wise with (+)-limonene at rates of 0%, 1%, 10%, 35%, 60% and 90%. This replacement had no significant effect on the numbers of responding I. typographus males, but there was a slight effect on the percentage of males caught. In the attractant blend for the barrier traps targeting females, with a higher percentage of cV, the 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MB) was replaced with 1-methoxy-2-propanol (MP) in a similar fashion as for the male-specific blends. The replacement did not significantly affect the catch of females. Thus, it is possible to use the MP in the blend with cV and ipsdienol without significant change in catch efficacy. In the blends for single traps, the (−)-α- pinene was replaced with (+)-limonene and MB with MP. The replacement of (−)-α-pinene had only a slight effect on the percentage of males, but the results suggest that replacing MB with MP in the blend will not significantly reduce trapping efficacy. Foundation project: The research was supported by Slovak Research and Development Agency (APVV-51-P06005 and APVV-27-P05205) and by the Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic and the Slovak Academy of Sciences (2/6153/26)     

4种引诱剂林间诱捕松墨天牛效果比较

[目的]明确APF-Ⅰ型诱剂样品(A)和F型诱剂样品(C)对松墨天牛的诱捕效果。[方法]以生产上使用的APF-Ⅰ持久增强型诱剂(B)和F1型诱剂(D)为对照,在林间进行了诱杀松墨天牛成虫试验。[结果]表明:诱剂A的平均诱虫量最高,分别为诱剂B、诱剂C和诱剂D的1.17倍、1.41倍和1.58倍,且显著高于诱剂C和诱剂D。在持效试验中,诱剂A平均诱虫量也高于其他3种诱剂。在161 d诱捕期内4种诱剂诱到的松墨天牛雌虫是雄虫的1.65 1.93倍,平均1.76倍。诱剂C也优于同类产品的诱剂D。[结论]诱剂A释放信息素均匀稳定,诱虫活性和持效作用强,最适合用于林间松墨天牛的测报及诱杀防治,因此建议在松材线虫病防治工作中优先选用。     

Assessing mass trapping efficiency and population density of Cerambyx welensii Küster by mark-recapture in dehesa open woodlands

A severe oak decline is taking place across the Mediterranean region since the 1980s. Among the climatic and biological factors involved in this complex syndrome, the longhorn C. welensii is currently considered a major element. Furthermore, larval damage to young or healthy trees is being increasingly important and thereby also the need to manage this emerging pest species. This paper deals with quantifying the adult populations in the field in order to evaluate the potential performance of mass trapping as control method against C. welensii. We used a mark-recapture protocol using feeding traps, which was complemented with some nocturnal observations and additional laboratory studies. Research was conducted in the Cornalvo Natural Park (southwestern Spain) during two consecutive years (2008–2009). Data were analysed with classic closed population (CP) methods and Maximum Likelihood Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture (ML SECR) detection models. The results strongly supported the potential success of mass trapping as control method for C. welensii, including a high trapping efficiency (70–81%), relatively low adult population density for a pest species (316 and 265 adults/ha in 2008 and 2009), movement pattern of flying adults and highly aggregated distribution of adults in trees with traps. We also found experimental evidence that most adults come to the traps close to emergence as showed body appearance, longevity estimates and female reproductive age at trapping time. We discuss the practical achievement of mass trapping as control method integrating behavioural and ecological perspectives and, though a large-scale field validation is still lacking, we conclude that mass trapping may be a potential tool to manage C. welensii populations in dehesa open woodlands.     

The influence of the aphid-specific pathogen Conidiobolus obscurus (Entomophthoromycota: Entomophthorales) on the mortality and fecundity of bamboo aphids

Bioassays and scanning electron microscopy of Conidiobolus obscurus for bamboo aphids as well as its effects on the fecundity of bamboo aphids were carried out to estimate bamboo aphid biocontrol potential. Multi-concentration bioassay and fecundity assessment were performed on aphid species of Takecallis taiwanus, Takecallis arundinariae, Melanaphis bambusae, and Metamacropodaphis bambusisucta. C. obscurus can effectively infect four species of bamboo aphids, and most cadavers appeared in the first 2 days after inoculation. The final mortalities reached 74–91 % at high concentrations of conidia among the tested species. Based on the fitted time–concentration–mortality models, the estimates of the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of the fungal conidia differed significantly among different aphid species and decreased with observation days. The lowest LC₅₀ was estimated to be 57 conidia mm^?2 for T. taiwanus on day 5 after conidial shower. Moreover, the C. obscurus-infected aphids only produced 3.9–18.2 % progeny of the corresponding healthy aphids, which strongly presented fungal influence on host fecundity. In conclusion, C. obscurus has the ability of restraining the development of bamboo aphid populations, which is suitable for further application in aphid biocontrol in bamboo forests.     

Categorization and numerical assessment of wireworm mobility over time following exposure to bifenthrin

We discuss the effect of the pyrethroid insecticide bifenthrin incorporated into soil at 100, 200, and 300 g AI/ha on late-instar larvae of the dusky wireworm, Agriotes obscurus (Coleoptera: Elateridae), and present a method of assessing wireworm health and mobility over time. Wireworms became moribund within 1 h of placement in soil amended with bifenthrin at all rates. After 2 weeks of morbidity in amended soils, wireworms recovered within 7 days of being placed in clean soil. A considerable proportion (0.13–0.93) of wireworms placed in amended soil moved to the soil surface and remained there for 2 weeks or more in a moribund state; wireworms transferred to clean soil no longer moved to the soil surface. Eight distinct mobility categories were observed and are described, and a new method for assessing wireworm health and mobility over time is discussed.     

Blowfly (Diptera,Calliphoridae) damage on stockfish in northern Norway: pest species,damage assessment and the potential of mass trapping

Production of high quality stockfish in northern Norway takes place from February to May. The dominant blowfly species (Diptera: Calliphoridae) with adults present during stockfish production were Calliphora vicina and Protophormia terraenovae. Larval collections identified the damage-causing species to be C. vicina. Other saprophagous blowfly species were only found after the production period. Fish dried in sun-exposed locations experienced more damage than fish in shaded locations, and the risk of damage was higher in fish dried later in the production period. Yellow sticky traps and funnel traps baited with dimethyl trisulphide were tested for their potential in mass trapping. Sticky traps caught flies during early spring, while funnel traps increased in efficiency closer to summer. Attraction to dimethyl trisulphide was found to be significantly higher for C. vicina compared to P. terraenovae, and the catch of C. vicina consisted of 92% females. The catch of female flies during the critical drying period consisted of 5–30% of the estimated number of flies having caused damage. The target specificity with high female catches and the cost efficiency of these traps indicate that mass trapping can be used as an integrated part of a management program to reduce damage from blowflies in stockfish producing areas.     

Effectiveness and side effects of glue-traps to decrease damages caused by Byturus tomentosus in raspberry

Damages caused by the larvae of Byturus tomentosus (Coleoptera: Byturidae) are a big problem of European raspberry production. Under integrated pest management conditions in Switzerland, B. tomentosus is controlled by chemical-synthetic insecticides. In organic production, no corresponding insecticides are permitted. White sticky traps (type Rebell^® bianco) are used for monitoring purposes. Can glue-traps also be used for mass-trapping and damage control? In this study, the attractiveness for adult B. tomentosus of one yellow and several white glue-traps was compared by counting the trapped individuals. Trapped beneficial insects like honey bees, Coccinellidae, Syrphidae and Chrysopidae were also counted. The contamination of the traps caused by other non-target arthropods was measured by a computer-assisted method. The white sticky trap type Rebell bianco was the most attractive for B. tomentosus. The attractiveness for the beneficials was relatively low, except when too much glue was applied on the traps, then the attractiveness for honey bees increased significantly. In this study, traps, which were placed in high densities (17 traps per 100 m²), significantly decreased the damages caused by larvae by around 40%. The trapping method does not cause any residuals of pesticides on the fruits or soil. Therefore, the trapping method could be an alternative to control B. tomentosus, especially in organic production.     

(+)-柠檬烯和1-甲氧基-2-丙醇对云杉八齿小蠹虫对信息素混合物反映的影响(英文)

对利用信息素诱捕云杉八齿小蠹的策略进行了对比分析,尤其是雄性小蠹的诱捕。第一种策略是障碍法,在林分的周围密集的布置捕捉陷阱,使用交互式信息素分别诱捕雄性小蠹和雌性小蠹。第二种策略是单一诱捕法,广阔使用投有相同诱饵诱捕陷阱,以捕捉最大数量的雄性小蠹为目的,而不包含雌性小蠹的捕捉。在带有低含量的(4S)一反式马鞭草烯醇诱饵混合物中,用0%,1%,10%,35%,60%and90%的(+)-柠檬烯逐步取代α-蒎烯。这种替换对雄性小蠹的反映数量没有影响,但对雄性小蠹的捕捉量稍有影响。在有高含量(4S)-反式马鞭草烯醇捕捉雌性小蠹的引诱剂混合物中,用1-甲氧基-2-丙醇取代2-甲基-3-丁烯-2-醇,对雌性小蠹的捕捉率没有影响。因而,在具有反式马鞭草烯醇和(4县)-2-甲基-6-甲基-2,7-辛-4-醇的混合物中使用1-甲氧基-2-丙醇,捕捉效果没有明显的变化。在单一捕捉的引诱剂混合物中,用(+)-柠檬烯取代α-蒎烯,用1-甲氧基-2-丙醇取代2-甲基-3-丁烯-2-醇,α-蒎烯被代替后对雄性小蠹的捕捉率轻微的影响,但2-甲基-3-丁烯-2-醇被代替后,将不会没有明显地降低捕捉效果。     

When the ground cover brings guests: is <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anaphothrips obscurus</Emphasis> a friend or a foe for the biological control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus urticae</Emphasis> in clementines?

Biological control of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), a key pest of clementines, can be improved in this crop with the establishment of a ground cover of Festuca arundinacea Schreber (Poaceae). This cover houses an abundant and diverse community of predatory Phytoseiidae mites including Euseius stipulatus (Athias-Henriot), Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and a dense population of the grass thrips Anaphothrips obscurus Müller (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) throughout the year. The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of this thrips species could be related to the improvement in the biological control of T. urticae. Therefore, the capacity of the abovementioned phytoseiids to feed and reproduce on A. obscurus and their feeding preferences when T. urticae and A. obscurus were simultaneously offered, were analyzed. The results show that E. stipulatus, N. barkeri and N. californicus have a type II functional response when offered A. obscurus nymphs, whereas P. persimilis barely feeds on this thrips species. Furthermore, N. barkeri and N. californicus can reproduce feeding only on thrips. Regarding prey preference, the Tetranychus spp.-specialist P. persimilis preferably preyed on T. urticae, the generalists N. barkeri and E. stipulatus preferred A. obscurus, and the selective predator of tetranychid mites N. californicus showed no preference. Therefore, we hypothesize that the enhanced biological control of T. urticae observed could be related to A. obscurus becoming an alternative prey for non-specialist phytoseiids, without altering the control exerted by the T. urticae-specialist P. persimilis and likely reducing intraguild predation.     

Season-long mating disruption of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Grapholita molesta</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) by one machine application of pheromone in wax drops (SPLAT-OFM)

A novel emulsified wax dispenser (SPLAT-OFM) of pheromone was evaluated in concert with a custom-built, tractor-mounted applicator, designed for fast application of dispensers for mating disruption of Oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck), in apple. The formulation consisted of microcrystalline wax emulsified in water. It was loaded with G. molesta pheromone (93:6:1 blend of (Z)-8-dodecen-1-yl-acetate:(E)-8-dodecen-1-yl-acetate:(Z)-8-dodecen-1-ol) at 10% by weight. The hydraulically driven applicator dispensed the wax formulation as discrete particles from a rotating double-orifice distributor positioned directly above the tree canopy. Wax-drop size averaged (±SEM) 0.38 ± 0.16 g and 4.3 ± 0.5 drops adhered per tree. Following a single mechanized application of SPLAT-OFM on 24 April at 8 ml per tree (1.6 kg/ha) to 0.8 ha blocks of apple, male G. molesta orientation to optimally attractive pheromone traps was disrupted by 98% relative to untreated control plots for the whole season. Furthermore, on 17 weekly deployments of tethered virgin females (1,016 females deployed and 732 recovered for dissection) throughout the season, no mating was detected in SPLAT-OFM-treated blocks, while mating in control blocks averaged 27%. During the first 17 days following deployment in sticky traps, SPLAT-OFM drops attracted ca. 1/46th of the number of male G. molesta attracted to optimized synthetic lures. However, following 17 days of field aging, SPLAT-OFM drops became equally attractive to optimized synthetic lures for the remainder of the season. The release rate of pheromone from wax drops 0–14 and 15–76 days following deployment averaged 21.4 and 5.3 μg/h, respectively. The trapping and release rate data were consistent with competitive attraction as the mechanism mediating disruption. Shoot injury following the first moth generation was sevenfold less in SPLAT-OFM treated blocks compared with controls and fruit injury at the end of the season in treated blocks was approximately half of that recorded in controls.