Study of infestation rate of different almond cultivars to Osphranteria coerulescens inaurata Holz. and role of trap-plants on its control

Damage of Rosaceae branch borer Osphranteria coerulescens inaurata and the roll of trap plants on its control were investigated. Infestation rate of almond cultivars Prunus dulcis was studied. 10 infected trees of each major almond variety, including: Mamaie, Sefid, Rabie and native genotype were selected randomly and the number of dried twigs was counted. Data were analyzed based on the RCBD design with 4 treatment and 10 replications using SAS software. In order to study the effect of trap-plants on attraction and control of the pest, carrot and onion plants were planted in 3 × 4 m2 plots inside an almond orchard. The number of insects attracted to the flowers of trap plants were counted three times a day for 4 days in mid June. Data were analyzed based on the RCBD design with 3 treatment and 4 replications using SAS software. Results showed that mean infestation percentage of dead twigs on Mamaie, Rabie, native genotype and Sefid was 2.95 ± 0.85 %, 1.85 ± 0.35 %, 1.45 ± 0.17 % and .085 ± 0.15%, respectively. Carrot flowers attracted higher number of beetles compare to onion. The most number of adult beetles were collected in early morning and 1 hour before sunset and at that time insects could collected easily by hand.