Some mechanical methods to behavior manipulation of the carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae in pomegranate orchards.

Carob moth,Ectomyelois ceratonia Zell. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a polyphagous destructive herbivore insect worldwide and the most important pest of pomegranate (Punica granatum) in Iran. Because of the hidden activity of the larvae chemical insecticides are not applicable and non-chemical control methods are currently used. The main purpose of this work was to study how ovipositor site disruption of the carob moth may decrease pest damages. The effect of stamen elimination, fruit net covering, and using both methods together were studied in pomegranate orchard conditions. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the treatments. (F= 13.984; df= 3, P<0.001). The highest level of infection was observed in check treatment with 6.9%. There was a significant difference between check and only net cover treatment. Using of net cover could reduce about 50% of total infection in the studied orchard but this method increased the expenditure. The treatment of steam elimination showed a 6.2% infection, while in comparison the check showed only 0.7% drop in infection. So no significant difference was observed in the treatment of steam elimination. Also this treatment increased the number of other insects in steam of pomegranate. The results showed that there wasn’t any significant between treatments about cracking, PH analyze, Acidity and total soluble solids (TSS) in this research.