The pear ester ethyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate as a potential tool for the control of Cydia pomonella larvae: preliminary investigation

Studies on the impact of the pear volatile ethyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate (pear ester) on the behaviour of newly-hatched Cydia pomonella (L.) larvae were conducted. In general, on apple and pear fruits treated with the pear ester, the number of C. pomonella larvae that entered the fruit was lower than on untreated fruits, and so was the damage caused by the larvae. These effects are of potential importance for direct applications of the pear ester in C. pomonella control strategies, especially for improving the efficacy of larvicidal insecticides.