Auto-confusion of Ephestia cautella (Walker) infesting dried fruits in a confectionary factory store

We assessed the effectiveness of a pheromone auto-confusion method applied for a three-year study (Years 1e3) in a confectionery factory store infested by almond moths, Ephestia cautella (Walker), based on pheromone traps and the presence of spermatophores in females captured with water traps. The application of Exosect® SP Tab pheromone dispensers, at a rate of 1 tablet per 25 m2 floor area, combined with water traps eliminated a great numbers of males and females and reduced mating and population levels of E. cautella. The results confirmed that when auto-confusion was applied (Years 2e3) the per- centage of mated females was lower compared with the previous year (Year 1), which was used as the control. The auto-confusion provides continuous activity against E. cautella adults and is a good approach to Integrated Pest Management that reduces the need for chemical treatments.