Challenges of pheromone-based mating disruption of and in spruce seed orchards.

Seed orchards function as the primary source of high-quality seeds for reforestation in many European countries, but their seed yields can be severely reduced due to seed- and cone-feeding insects. We evaluated various parameters of pheromone-based mating disruption for control of the moths and , which are major pests in European seed orchards. We applied different types of pheromone dispensers (rubber septa or wax droplets) at different densities and heights, and with different amounts of active components, covering whole orchards or part of an orchard.

Identification of the sex pheromone of the spruce seed moth, Cydia strobilella L.

The spruce seed moth, Cydia strobilella L., is a serious pest on cones of spruce (Picea spp.) in the Holarctic region.

Assessment of cone-damaging insects in a Swedish spruce seed orchard and the efficacy of large-scale application of Bacillus thuringiensis variety aizawai x kurstaki against lepidopterans.

In a 2-yr study, we investigated the efficacy of large-scale application of the biological insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis variety aizawai x kurstaki (Btk) in a Swedish spruce, Picea abies L. (Karst.), seed orchard for controlling damage caused by four lepidopteran species: Dioryctria abietella Den et.