Effectiveness of different management strategies against Ectomyeloïs ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in citrus orchards in Tunisia

ABSTRACT Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller) is a cosmopolitan pest that affects many crops worldwide. The present study was performed to refine our knowledge about density and damage of this pest on Navel oranges in northern Tunisia and to evaluate the effectiveness of four alternative methods including, cultural control, mass trapping, Trichogramma cacoeciae (Marchal) releases and mating disruption. Results showed that E. ceratoniae populations increased from April to November. All trials were effective in decreasing E. ceratoniae populations on citrus fruits. The most effective management was mating disruption combined with T. cacoeciae release (30,000 Trichogramms/ha), with a reduction rate of E. ceratoniae of 62.8% after treatment. Mass trapping using delta traps combined with Trichogramma releases (25,000 T/ha) may be a promising alternative for limiting E. ceratoniae populations. It has also been shown that a density of 10 delta traps/ha can reduce the infestation rate of E. ceratoniae. Furthermore, control by successive T. cacoeciae releases at a density of 20,000 T/ha shows its effectiveness. Our results for improving management of E. ceratoniae in citrus orchards are highlighted and discussed herein.