A pilot study of sterile insect technology (SIT) in Australian apple orchards has revealed how this technology can successfully outsmart the age-old pest codling moth.
The Hort Innovation-funded research project (AP18001) led by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) achieved some remarkable firsts for Australian horticulture, despite the intervention of Covid-19.
The introduction of sterile codling moths (SCM) from Canada was an Australian first for the import from overseas of live animals – without a quarantine period – for direct release in Australia. The team successfully navigated biosecurity import requirements and freight logistics to deliver cartons of live SCM from Canada to Tasmania each week over two seasons. This successfully demonstrated proof of concept for the use of SIT as a tool for controlling codling moth in Australian apple orchards.
Read the full article by clicking the link below: New treatment for codling moth | University of Tasmania
