LBAM Information
Downloadable PBC product information for Light Brown Apple Moth
ISOMATE-LBAM PLUS TECHNICAL SHEET
What is Isomate-LBAM Plus?
Isomate LBAM Plus is a twist-tie dispenser composed of a polyethylene plastic tube
parallel to an associated aluminum wire. It is applied by hand directly on the plant or
trellis. This formulation is not randomly distributed by a mechanical device nor is it
sprayed into the air. You can see a picture of the twist-tie dispenser on our website
(pacificbiocontrol.com). It is similar in size and appearance to a common pipe cleaner.
The pheromone active (95%) and inert (5%) ingredients are within the hollow tube of the
dispenser and are not directly put on the crop. Each twist-tie dispenser slowly releases
tiny amounts of pheromone into the atmosphere. The pheromone migrates slowly by
diffusion from the inside of the tube to the surface where it volatilizes in microgram
amounts.
What are pheromones?
Pheromones are natural chemicals emitted by insects that allow them to communicate
between individuals of the same species. They serve a number of functions including
finding the location of food sources, alarming others around them about potential
dangers, and locating a potential mate.
How does the pheromone work to disrupt the mating of the target pest (in this
instance, light brown apple moth)?
Isomate pheromone twist-tie dispensers uses the insect's own communication system to
its detriment. In the wild, female moths release a sex pheromone into the air to attract
male moths. Male moths detect the pheromone "scent" and follow it upwind to locate
and then mate with the females. In plantings treated with Isomate dispensers, the twist-
tie dispensers emit, over at least a 180 day period, the same pheromone as the female
moths. The additional pheromone confuses and disorients the male, delaying or
preventing him from mating with the female. This results in a reduction of mating
success and suppression of the pest population.
Why is there an environmental hazard statement on the label?
The environmental hazard statement on our label and MSDS ("For terrestrial uses: Do
not apply directly to water, to areas where surface water is present or to intertidal areas
below the mean high water mark. Do not contaminate water when disposing of this
product") is a required statement for all pheromone products by the US EPA.
Wildlife toxicity data indicate that high concentrations of lepidopteran pheromones can
be toxic to aquatic invertebrates (Daphnia) and moderately toxic to fish. However, these
tests were on much higher concentrations of pheromones than what is in an Isomate
twist-tie dispenser. The EPA concluded from the wildlife toxicity tests that risks to aquatic
organisms are minimized with the low application rates and the highly volatile nature of
these compounds. In 2001, the US EPA published the Lepidopteran Pheromones Fact
Sheet and accessed the following in regard to the risks to the environment:
Adverse effects on non-target organisms (mammals, birds, and aquatic
organisms) are not expected because these pheromones are released in very
small amounts to the environment and act on a select group of insects.
You may access this fact sheet on the EPA’s web-site under
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/ingredients/factsheets/factsheet_lep_phero
mones.htm.
In addition, application rates are not to exceed 150 grams pheromone/acre/year as this
is generally understood to result in exposure levels which are comparable to natural
emissions by insects and therefore, safe for non-target species.
What are the ingredients in an Isomate-LBAM Plus twist-tie dispenser?
Isomate-LBAM Plus contains two active ingredients: E-11-Tetradecenyl acetate at
63.88% and (E,E)-9,11-Tetradecadienyl acetate at 2.64%. The label also lists other
ingredients at 33.48%. 28.68% of the other ingredients are ingredients that are
processed in the manufacturing of the active ingredients. These ingredients are not
added, they are just part of the manufacturing process of these two active ingredients.
So what are the inert ingredients?
To last through a whole season in orchards, inert ingredients are added to protect the
longevity of the pheromone. These inert ingredients are added to the pheromone active
ingredients at 4.8% of the mixture. Their main purpose is to protect the pheromone from
UV light and oxidants. Pheromones can be easily broken down from UV light and
oxidants. Therefore, these inert ingredients diffuse to the outside of the twist-tie
dispenser and protect its longevity.
Why are these ingredients such a secret and not publicized for everyone to see?
This is a competitive market and each pheromone company wants to have the best
product. For growers of apples, peaches, almonds, etc. that use our product instead of
chemical pesticides, they want a product that will last through the whole season and give
them the best control. The key to longevity are in the 4.8% ingredients and therefore, we
don’t want our competitors to know what we are using.
Are these ingredients dangerous?
The National Organic Program has approved these additional ingredients for organic use
with this type of twist-tie dispenser. Several of our twist-tie dispensers have been
approved by OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) for use in organic orchards.
What about the twist-tube dispenser?
The twist-tube dispenser is made of a polyethylene plastic. One side of the twist tube
contains a thin piece of aluminum (to assure that the tie stays on the crop when it is
twisted) and the other side contains 0.00728 fluid ounces of the pheromone.
What are the precautions to be taken with handling the product?
Straight chain lepidopteran pheromones have shown that they can be irritating to the
skin and eyes. Therefore, the label and MSDS instructs those who handle the product, to
wash thoroughly with soap and water. Clothing should be washed that has been worn
while handling the product.
What is the primary objective of using pheromones?
These pheromone formulations were developed for and are used mainly in agriculture.
The primary objective is to ensure the production of a high quality, pest-free crop using
economically viable and ecologically sound methods of pest control with minimal use of
insecticides. The reduction or elimination of insecticides for insect control will help
preserve and increase beneficial insects, spiders and predatory mites thereby enhancing
the biological control of secondary pests and further reducing the use of insecticides.
With repeated yearly use, Isomate products can greatly reduce the population density of
insects in the orchard.
In conclusion:
Isomate-LBAM Plus is a twist-tie dispenser that is hand applied to the plant or trellis. It is
not a sprayable. The pheromone only enters the environment as a volatile after diffusing
in very small amounts from the twist-tie dispenser. In other words, the active ingredient
is contained internally in the twist-tie dispenser and is slowly released in the air. Our goal
with this product and our other twist-tie pheromone dispensers is to minimize
environmental damage caused by agriculture and at the same providing consumers with
pesticide residue-free produce.
Wikipedia Information on LBAM:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_brown_apple_moth
Adult moths
Light brown apple moth adults are variable in colour and may be confused with other leafroller moths. Typical males have a forewing length of 6–10 mm with a light brown area at the base distinguishable from a much darker, red-brown area at the tip. The latter may be absent, the moth appearing uniformly light brown, as in the females, with only slightly darker oblique markings distinguishing the area at the tip of the wing. Females have a forewing length of 7–13 mm.
Larvae
Larvae are not easily distinguished from the larvae of other tortricid leafrollers. The first larval instar has a dark brown head; all other instars have a light fawn head and prothoracic plate. Overwintering larvae are darker. First instar larvae are approximately 1.6 mm long, and final instar larvae range from 10–18 mm in length. The body of a mature larva is medium green with a darker green central stripe and two side stripes.
Distribution
The light brown apple moth is a native insect of Australia. It has been introduced and now occurs in New Caledonia, the British Isles, Hawaii, Western Australia and New Zealand. In the spring of 2007 the moth was found in the continental United States and quarantine measures were announced to help contain its spread
Life cycle
Light brown apple moth passes through three generations annually with a partial fourth generation in some years, and has no winter resting stage. There is considerable overlap in the generations. In warmer areas four generations are completed annually, with major flight periods occurring during September-October, December-January, February–March, and April–May. In cooler climates the number of complete generations may be reduced to two.
Eggs are laid in clusters of 3–150 on leaves or fruit. Adults produced by the overwintering larval generation emerge during October and November. These give rise to the first summer generation, in which final instar larvae mature between January and mid February. Second generation larvae reach maturity during March and April, and the adults from this generation provide third generation eggs. Normally, the rate of larval development is slowed considerably during the winter; thus the majority of larvae over-winter in the prolonged early juvenile phases of the second third, and fourth instars. During this period they normally feed on herbaceous plants. Re-invasion of apple trees takes place during October-December, when moths of the third generation start laying eggs again on the apple leaves
Sex pheromone
Females release a specific blend of sex pheromone to attract males. The blend is a mixture of two compounds (E)-11-tetradedecen-1-yl acetate, comprising 95% of the mixture and (E,E)-9,11-tetradecadien-1-yl acetate comprising the remaining 5% (Bellas et al., 1983).
Epiphyas postvittana 5th instar larva
The insect is highly polyphagous and the larvae attack numerous horticultural crops in Australia and New Zealand. It is known to feed on 123 dicotyledonous plant species, including 22 Australian natives, belonging to 55 different families. In New Zealand, over 250 host species have been recorded. It attacks nearly all types of fruit crops, ornamentals, vegetables, glasshouse crops, and occasionally young pine seedlings.
The larvae cause damage to foliage and fruit. Early instars feed on tissue beneath the upper epidermis (surface layer) of leaves, while protected under self-constructed silken webs on the undersurface of leaves. Larger larvae migrate from these positions to construct feeding niches between adjacent leaves, between a leaf and a fruit, in the developing bud, or on a single leaf, where the leaf roll develops. The late stage larvae feed on all leaf tissue except main veins.
Superficial fruit damage is common in apple varieties which form compact fruit clusters. Leaves are webbed to the fruit and feeding injury takes place under the protection of the leaf; or larvae spin up between fruits of a cluster. Internal damage to apple, pear, and citrus fruits is less common, but a young larva may enter the interior of an apple or pear fruit through the calyx or beneath the stem of a citrus fruit. Excreta are usually ejected on to the outside of the fruit
Control
The species has been classified as a noxious insect in the United States and Canada, leading to restrictions on produce from counties with substantial populations. Typical orchard control of the insect commonly involves IPM regimes using a variety of methods such as insecticide applications, biological control and occasionally mating disruption. Pheromone lures are often used to assess and monitor populations of moths in specific areas.
References
•Bellas, T.E., Bartell, R.J. and Hill, A. (1983) Identification of two components of the sex pheromone of the moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) Journal of Chemical Ecology 9, 503-511.
•Thomas, W. P. (1989) Epiphyas postvittana (Walker), light brown apple moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). In: A review of biological control of invertebrate pests & weeds in New Zealand (Cameron, P. J., Hill, R. L., Bain, J. and Thomas, W. P., eds), pp. 187-195. CAB International, London.
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•Wearing, C. H., Thomas, W. P., Dugdale, J. S. and Danthanarayana, W. (1991) Tortricid pests of pome and stone fruits, Australian and New Zealand species. In: Tortricid pests, their biology, natural enemies and control (Van der Geest, L. P. S. and Evenhuis, H. H., eds), pp. 453-472. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
