Protecting an Apple a Day

Protecting an Apple a Day

Author: David Bradley

The codling moth, Cydia pomonella, is an insidious pest of apple trees and the scourge of fruit farmers the world over. Unfortunately, there are few treatments for combating this insect and those that are partially effective often have environmental side-effects.

US researchers have demonstrated that plant-derived semiochemicals from the Gingko biloba tree, well known as a so-called “health” supplement, can act as feeding deterrents against codling moth larvae. Ginkgolic acid prevented fruit infestation at concentrations as low as 1 mg/ml, bilobalide at at 0.1 mg/ml and higher concentrations, and ginkgolide B at 10 mg/ml.


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