Effect of kaolin and stamen-removing on damage reduction of pomegranate fruit moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lep.: Pyralidae)

The pomegranate fruit moth (PFM), Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lep.: Pyralidae), is the most important pest of pomegranate orchards in Iran. One way that may prevent fruits to be infected is the obstruction from laying eggs inside the fruit crown by the pest. In this study, the effect of twin usage of fruit stamen-removing (one and two stages) and kaolin spraying (3 & 5% concentrations of Sepidan WP) were investigated during spring to summer of 2011 in Kashan region, Iran. The fruit cracking and PFM infection indices were calculated at the harvesting time on each tree. Considering the obtained results from the present research, kaolin treatment at 5% concentration and fruit stamens removing (two stages) treatment, reduced fruit damage by 85% in comparison with the control. Also, the result showed that, the fruit cracking was reduced in kaolin treatments, however no significant difference was observed in stamen-removing treatments. Consequently, twin usage of fruit stamens-removing in 2 stages and application of the kaolin at 5% concentration can be recommended for decreasing the PFM damage.