Quebec pilot project uses chemical emitted by female insects to stave off pests’ procreation

Stéphane Cataphard is among a growing number of Quebec apple growers turning to insect pheromones to stave off infestations and cutting back on harmful pesticides. (Jessica Rubinger/CBC)

Stéphane Cataphard, an apple producer in Quebec’s lower Laurentians, used to spray his orchards with insecticides to protect the fruit from the codling moth five, even six, times a year.

But not any more.

The codling moth’s larvae burrow into untreated apples, damaging the fruit. (CBC)

«Last year we just sprayed once,» he said while sorting Macintosh apples at his warehouse in St-Joseph-du-Lac, 50 kilometres northwest of Montreal. «This year we hope to….

Read full article on: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/pheremones-pesticides-apple-orchards-1.3585104