Cooperative Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. CM P heromones have been used for several decades in apple and pear orchards, first for pest monitoring and more recently for mating disruption, particularly of codling moth. A new control tactic using pheromones for codling moth control is pending registration, and should be commercially available next year. With trees of about 13 feet in height or less, about 1200 droplets are recommended per acre. The total amount applied and the number of droplets per acre may be increased with larger trees or high codling moth population pressure.
Sirene droplets act as a sort of pseudo-female, luring in males with the release of codlemone.
Attracted to the droplet, the male attempts to mate and contacts the insecticide, in the process picking up a lethal dose of permethrin. A Sirene application effectively attracts and kills males for at least 5 weeks, though data in Washington this year showed that droplets have been attractive for up to 8 weeks when placed in traps. As with other control methods, it is important to target application for the first generation to get the best control. Use of Sirene CM for second generation codling moth control may allow growers in many blocks to eliminate late season insecticide applications and residues on fruit. The first successful field trials were conducted with Sirene CM in 1988 in Switzerland.