Following irrigation, fields are cultivated and insecticides are applied for plume moth control. During the winter ditch period, insecticide treatments must be applied by air. Treatments are determined by trap catches and field monitoring. An organized record of weekly trap catches and daily temperature data converted to degree-days can be used to predict peak adult emergence. Examine leaves weekly during summer, fall, and spring for eggs.
Eggs are difficult to see and some experience is required to make an accurate egg count.
A count of one egg per 50 leaves indicates that there might be sufficient eggs present to produce an economic infestation. Also, sample individual shoots weekly to look for plume moth larvae. Determine the percent shoot infestation by sampling at least 50 shoots. The most effective insecticides for artichoke plume moth control are those that kill the adult moths and the larval stage. Because the materials listed below have potential resistance problems, Bacillus thuringiensis can be added to the tank mix to reduce the risk of resistance development.