On Sun, 6 Jan 2013 23:05:44 +0000, Sacha wrote:



Our bays are purely ornamental. This moth is not specifically
dependant on bay, according to FERA and ADAS papers it is at home on a
variety of plants. To quote FERA -
"C. pronubana is highly polyphagous and larvae feed on plants in 138
genera.
Throughout its range, C. pronubana is a pest of carnation (Dianthus
caryophyllus). Other major hosts include Brassica, Chrysanthemum,
Citrus, Daucus carota (carrot), Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato),
Pelargonium, Picea (spruce), Pinus (pine), Prunus, Rosa and Vicia faba
(beans). Minor hosts include Allium porrum (leeks) and Fragaria
(strawberry)"

The thiachloprid insecticide I have used is a systemic, unfortunately
so far it has not worked even though it has been used for the maximum
number of applications per annum.

I wonder if Charlie or Sacha have come across this pest as it thrives
in commercial glasshouse environments.

I asked Ray and his reply is that we see very few of them so when we
do, we squash them!

So do I when if and when I spot them. The problem is spotting them in
amongst the dense foliage when they are installed in their leaf
sandwiches, hence resorting to insecticide. Unfortunately the first
sign of their presence is invariably chewed brown leaves.
--
rbel