Charles Sartwell

Control of Moth Pests by Mating Disruption in Forests of the Western United States

A specific objective of our project at the Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station in Corvallis, OR is to determine whether mating disruption is a promising approach to control selected forest pests and to develop methods and materials for practical use. Disruption efforts have been directed mainly toward control of the Douglas-fir tussock moth, Orgyia pseudotsugata (McDunnough), the western pine shoot borer moth, Eucosma sonomana Kearfott, and the western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman. Preliminary work has also been done with the European pine shoot moth, Rhyacionia buoliana (Schiffermuller), (Daterman et al., 1975). Results with the spruce budworm are still tentative. Pheromone will substantially reduce reproduction by the Douglas-fir tussock moth and further tests are planned. Western pine shoot borer damage can be controlled with pheromone.