Codling moth and its area wide integrated pest management in Kargil, Ladakh

The present study was aimed to understand the impact of area wide pest management capsule against codling moth (CM) in Kargil region. Different management strategies implemented include pheromone traps for monitoring and mass trapping, three consecutive sprays with three different insecticides each and cultural practices like destruction of infested fruits and burlapping of tree trunks. Time of application of different tools of pest management from biofix to overwintering of larvae yielded significant results in reducing the damage in comparison to control. Average captures of codling moth/trap/week were 7.73 and 6.52 during I and II year, respectively. The mean fruit injury during I year was recorded at 19.62% against control at 70.65%, while, during II year, it was recorded at 14.38% against control (67.18%). Overall impact of the pest management module recorded significant reduction in pest infestation and consequently in CM fruit injury in comparison to control during both the years of study. Results of the two year study revealed that, installation of pheromone traps for monitoring and mass trapping, combined with timely application of three consecutive insecticide sprays and adoption of cultural practices like removal and destruction of infested fruits and burlapping of tree trunks, effectively controlled the larval infestation in the field.