Biotop Pheromones for Pear Tree Borer Zeuzera pyrina (leopard moth) - 2 capsules

Biotop Pear Tree Leopard Moth Pheromones are part of a biological control system against this orchard pest, which helps the gardener avoid having to resort to spraying or using pesticides. It is the adult male that is targeted, to prevent the fertilisation of females which produce caterpillars which destroy vegetation. These capsules, impregnated with synthetic pheromones, mimic the olfactory signals emitted by females during their reproductive phase. Placed in a Biotop butterfly trap (sold separately), they attract males to neutralise them. The effective duration of one capsule is 4 to 6 weeks. Optimal period of use: from June to August. Packaged in a box of 2 capsules.

Targeted Pests:

• Zeuzera pyrina: the leopard moth or "coquette", a pretty butterfly with a wingspan of 5 to 6 cm for the female, the male reaching only 3.5 to 4 cm. The wings are white, dotted with bluish spots. The white, cottony thorax bears six blue spots. The larva is a handsome caterpillar, 5 cm long, bright yellow in colour, with small black spots. The biological cycle of this butterfly spans 1 year in favourable climates, or 2 years in the North. The butterflies live for 10 days. A fertilised female lays 1000 eggs, which quickly turn into voracious caterpillars: they bore into trunks, buds, twigs and branches where they dig tunnels that severely disrupt sap flow and lead to the dieback of entire branches. Their entry hole is identified by small reddish piles of sawdust and excrement, as well as a trail of sap. The activity of one caterpillar can lead to the death of a young tree. The adults fly at night from June to August. Trees weakened by leopard moth attacks often become the target of other wood-boring insects, which can lead to their premature death. The leopard moth is present almost everywhere in Europe, up to 1200 m altitude.

Susceptible Crops: a large number of woody species. Fruit trees: pear, apple, plum, cherry, citrus trees, walnut, olive, quince... Ornamental trees: oak, ash, lime, plane, maple, tulip tree...

The pheromone capsule must be placed in one of the butterfly traps developed by Biotop: the delta trap (detection), or the funnel trap with vanes (high-capacity detection).

Pheromones and attractants are sold separately from the traps so they can be kept cold for optimal effectiveness throughout their diffusion period.

Instructions for Use:

• The capsules must be handled with gloves or tweezers to avoid "contaminating" the pheromone contained in the capsule and thus preserve its effectiveness. Wash your hands after use.
• Place the pheromone or attractant in the designated location: butterfly trap / Delta-type house or: funnel butterfly trap with vanes.
• The pheromone (or attractant) capsules (diffusers) are soaked in a bath of pheromones, which impregnate the material and will then gradually diffuse. The liquid pheromone solution is not visible. Regardless of its shape or colour, place the diffuser in the location defined above.
• Allow for 1 - 2 traps per tree or 1 - 2 traps per hectare (for detection, at the start of the season)
• Unless stated otherwise on the packaging, if there is a cap, it should not be opened.
• Replace the capsule after 4 to 6 weeks, depending on weather conditions (diffusion is faster in very hot weather).

Storage and Handling:

• Awaiting use: store in the refrigerator (3-5°C) for 1 year.
• For use next season: store in the freezer (-18°C) for 2 years.