Development of a Pheromone-based Monitoring System for the Macadamia Nut Borer, Cryptophlebia ombrodelta (Lower) (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae), in Australia

Abstract The pheromone of the macadamia nut borer, Cryptophlebia ombrodelta (Lower), was evaluated for its suitability as a monitoring tool. The first objective was to establish a correlation between the number of males recovered from pheromone traps and oviposition. When data on numbers of eggs recovered was adjusted using an empirical formula to predict when oviposition occurred, a reasonable correlation between trap catch and oviposition was revealed. A sharp rise in weekly pheromone trap catch often either preceded or coincided with a sharp rise in oviposition and it was concluded that on the basis of one season's data, the first record of 6 or more moths/8 traps/day indicates the need to begin sampling for eggs. The influence of trap height was also investigated. Significantly more moths were caught in traps placed at 5 m (just below the top of the canopy) than at 2 m above ground level.