Temperature models for predicting the flight activity of local populations of Cydia funebrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Central Europe

Temperature models for predicting the flight activity of the plum fruit moth, Cydia funebrana, were developed using male catches in pheromone traps at four locations in the Czech Republic and one in the Slovak Republic. A method of nonlinear regression by means of Richard's formula was used. Total catches of moths from the overwintering and the summer (second) generations were strongly correlated. The regression equation proposed can be used to forecast the expected number of individuals in the summer generation. Whereas the flight curves of the overwintering generation were similar for all populations and years in this study, flight curves of the summer generation differed markedly among populations from different localities. Degree-days from initiation to the peak of flight during the summer were significantly higher at warmer localities, than at the coldest locality. Year to year differences of up to 30 days were found among the flight peaks of the summer generation at the same locality. Regression models proposed for each local population can be used to forecast the phenology of the pest within a year, and together with other knowledge, they can be used for timing pesticide treatments.