Does-mortality and large-scale studies for controlling codling moth (Lepidoptera:Tortricidae) eggs on 'd'Agen plums by using methyl bromide

Codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), eggs on 'd'Agen' cultivar of plums, Prunus salicina Lindl., were treated with methyl bromide to determine if a quarantine treatment could be developed so that the plums could be exported to Japan from the United States. Small-scale tests consisted of treating codling moth eggs on plums with various doses of methyl bromide at 20 degrees C for 2 h. Small-scale tests showed that 0- to 24-h-old eggs of codling moth on the plums were controlled by doses >22.5 g/m(3). Because testing showed that 48 g/m(3) had no adverse effect on the quality of plums, this dose was chosen for large-scale testing to establish the quarantine dose. Large-scale tests consisted of treating plums at 18.5 degrees C for 2 h using methyl bromide at a dose of 48 mg/liter. Large-scale tests showed the dose of 48 g/m(3) killed all 0- to 24-h-old codling moth eggs exposed on plums in packing cartons without affecting the quality of the plums.