Growers Get New Tool to Help Ground Oriental Fruit Moth

Posted by Growing Produce Staff|June 5, 2019

BioTEPP, a Canadian-based biotech company, recently announced it has received approval from the U.S. EPA to add the oriental fruit moth to the list of insect pests that can be controlled by its biopesticide product Virosoft CP4.

The product contains the baculovirus cydia pomonella granulosis (Strain CpGV-cp4). It specifically targets codling moths and oriental fruit moths, allowing all other beneficial insects to perform their tasks, according to the company. Used in organic and conventional production, it helps to reduce pest populations and also the use of conventional chemical pesticides and their residues.

Tests run in Washington State show that the use of Virosoft CP4 has had an impact on the number of stings and entries the pest can cause.

The oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta) is a member of the tortricidae family. It is native to China, but was introduced to Japan and North America, and is now also found throughout Europe, Asia, as well as South America, Hawaii, Morocco, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The insect frequently migrates to pome fruit orchards in the late season where it can cause substantial fruit damage before harvest.

“While already highly efficient against the codling moth, Virosoft CP4 is now recognized to be equally effective to fight another harmful insect, which can cause significant economic losses for producers of apples, peaches, nectarines, and apricots,” said Michel Tremblay, Agronomist, BioTEPP’s VP of Marketing.