Norman Collett is using Exosect’s Exosex CM auto-confusion system for codling moth for its trials on disease-resistant organic apples.
The results of this season’s trials, conducted at farms in Kent and East Sussex, will be published later this year.
“Here at Norman Collett, we work hard to reduce the amount of pesticides we use without compromising on quality,” said Collett’s technical director Nigel Jenner. “Demand for organic produce has never been greater and the performance of these disease-resistant varieties is extremely important for the UK organic sector. However, we still need to control the codling moth and Exosex CM enables us to do this in place of a traditional spray programme.”
Exosex CM uses a synthetic female sexual pheromone to attract male codling moths into a dispenser where Exosect's Entostat powder, also combined with the pheromone, is located. The powder adheres to the males as they enter. The result is that their sensors become overwhelmed and they cannot detect virgin females. They then act as a false lure for other males and the mating cycle breaks down.
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