Confirmation and Efficacy Tests Against Codling Moth and Oriental Fruit Moth in Peaches and Nectarines Using Combination Heat and Controlled Atmosphere Treatments

Two high-temperature, forced air treatments under controlled atmosphere conditions, called CATTS for controlled atmosphere/temperature treatment system, were developed for control of all life stages of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), and oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck), infesting peaches and nectarines (both Prunus spp.). These treatments were used in efficacy and confirmation tests to kill >5,000 fourth instar oriental fruit moths and >30,000 fourth instar codling moths with zero survivors. The treatments consist of linear heating rates of either 12 or 24°C/h to a final chamber temperature under a 1% O2, 15% CO2, and >90% RH atmosphere with air speed between 1.2 and 2.0 m/s. At a 12°C linear chamber heating rate, treatment takes ≈3 h to reach a final chamber temperature of 46°C. The average lowest core temperatures of the fruit reached 43.8°C within the last 30 min of the treatment. At a 24°C linear chamber heating rate, it takes ≈2.5 h to reach a final chamber temperature of 46°C. The average lowest core temperatures of the fruit reached 44.6°C for the last 15 min of the treatment. It also was determined that both treatments did not significantly alter the quality parameters that were evaluated to a degree that would have negatively influenced the marketability of the fruit. Positive benefits of treatment included a slower ripening of treated fruit and an inhibition of the loss of juiciness during storage in some cultivars. These treatments may be used to replacement to methyl bromide fumigation for conventional fruit or as a new treatment for organic fruit contingent upon importing country approval.