Influence of trap color and trapping location on captures of male Tortrix viridana L. in three provinces of Iran

Use of sex pheromone traps is known as an effective method for monitoring and controling Tortrix viridana L. (Lep. Tortricidae). Trap shape, trap color and placement on trees are factors affecting male’s captures. The main goal of this research was to determine the effect of pheromone traps color and placement on the rate of males catches in three provinces of West Azarbaijan, Kordestan and Fars. First experiment accomplished by different colored delta traps (yellow, brown, white and green) which placed at middle height canopy of oak trees, following first emergence of males. In experiment 2, delta traps placed in upper half section and lower half part of trees as two treatments. In both experiments, captured males were counted weekly and trap catch data were subjected to analysis of variance and differences among means were determined by Duncan or t-test methods. In West Azarbaijan white traps were the most effective captured T. viridana males significantly higher than the other trap colors (mean=298.5±16/6). While in Kordestan and Fars Province trap color had no effect on the rate of moth captured. In second experiment, results indicated that maximum rate of captured moth was observed in upper half part of oak trees (mean=295.5±8.07) compared with those placed in lower part of the trees (mean=254.3±7.05) in west Azarbaijan province. There was no significant difference between upper and lower sections of the trees in Kurdistan and Fars Provinces. Based on the obtained results, white delta traps must be placed in upper half part of oak trees to capture maximum rate of moths