Efficacy of abamectin (Vertimec 1.8 EC) and emamectin benzoate + lufenuron (Proclaim-fit 50 WG) on pistachio fruit moth, Recurvaria pistaciicola

 Pistachio fruit moth is one of the most important pests of pistachio orchads. In spite of severe damage of this pest in some orchards, the variety of recommended pesticides against it is very limited. Oxydemeton-methyl and fentione have been registered and recommended against this pest. Low efficiencies of these compounds and also the harmful effects of these pesticides on natural enemies are the problems of using these insecticides. In this study, the efficacy of two avermectine based compounds including abamectin and emamectin benzoate+lufenouran, which are effective on the larvae of some lepidopterous pests were tested against pistachio fruit moth. The experiments were performed in two consecutive years in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with different doses of the insecticides. To evaluate the effect of pesticides on the pest, dried and damaged seeds by larvae of pest were counted 7, 12, 18 and 25 days after spraying. The final number of seeds per cluster was also recorded and the efficiency of treatments was calculated. The results showed all treatments were effective against larvae of the moth. In general, higher doses of abamectin (0.4 and 0.6 lit/1000 lit) and higher doses of emamectin benzoate+ lufenouran (200 and 250 gr/1000 lit) were more efficient than other treatments. In general aspects, it seems that abamectin in rate of 0.6 lit/1000 lit is the best treatment for controlling this pest.