Range of action and interaction of pheromone traps for the summerfruit tortrix moth,Adoxophyes orana (F.v.R.).

In a spindle-tree apple orchard, sex pheromone traps for the summerfruit tortrix moth were distributed at different spacings. From the captures, information was derived about influence of prevailing wind direction and of trap spacing on interactions between traps. Prevailing wind direction in the experimental area had no appreciable influence on trap interaction, perhaps because of eddying within the planting. The relationship between density and capture of traps was first considered theoretically and interaction by overlap of active-space areas was distinguished from that by overlap of mere capturing areas, which depend also on distance of dispersal. The actual results were in accordance with these considerations and indicated that the diameter of the active-space areas averaged 15 m. The variation in the captures of the wider-spaced traps was too large to be conclusive about the average width of the capturing areas, but the diameter of these seemed to be more than about 45 m. These data have been related to adequate trap distances for monitoring and mass trapping.