Biological control of the codling moth by Trichogramma embryophagum based on Degree-Hours forecasting model

The codling moth, Cydia pomonella, is the most important pest insect in apple orchards. Efficacy of a native strain of the egg parasitoid wasp, Trichogramma embryophagum, was statistically compared with chemical control and check treatments in an apple orchard. The best times for releasing the parasitoid wasps were determined by using a forecasting model based on estimation of Growing Degree Hours (GDH). Codling moth biofix was determined by using pheromone traps, and environmental temperature in the apple orchard was recorded hourly for estimation of GDH. Based on the recorded temperatures and by using phenological forecasting model, the best times for releasing egg parasitoid wasps were determined. The wasps were released five times for two generations of the codling moth. The results of the efficacy test, showed that there was no statistically difference between chemical and biological control treatments using Tukey range test (P