Spatial and temporal distribution of Ephestia cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in a confectionery factory: Causal factors and management implications

A pheromone trapping system was established in a confectionery factory to monitor Ephestia cautella activity. E. cautella was found to be distributed throughout the factory in an aggregated pattern, which persisted for most of the study. The highly restricted nature of the population indicated that the blanket application of synergised pyrethrins was unnecessary in most areas. Analysis also indicated that the application of pyrethrins had little influence on the distribution of E. cautella or male moth capture rate. Hygiene, and the distance from an area regarded as a population source, were found to most influence E. cautella distribution. It was concluded that an integrated management strategy relying on pheromone trapping to monitor adult E. cautella plus improved sanitation practices to remove existing larval rearing sites and minimize potential development sites, was likely to provide superior control of E. cautella than the blanket application of synergised pyrethrins.