Covering of Pomegranate flower and fruits for the damage reduction of carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lep.: Pyralidae) in Neyriz region

Carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller) (Lep.: Pyralidae) is the most important pest of pomegranate fruit in Iran. In the present study, the effect of applying timing of covering and different types of covering on infestation rate to carob moth were tested in Neyriz region (Fars province) from May to October in 2012. For this purpose, 45 trees of a orchards were selected randomly, treatments were included: crown flower covering, crown fruit covering, complete flower covering and complete fruit covering. There were signification differences between treat ments related to to pest infestation. The result showed that the mean infestation rates were 25.3% and 9.6% for control and complete covering of flower with fabric net in the first decade of May, respectively, so complete covering flower with fabric net in the first decade of May can reduce fruit damage by 62%. Highest percentage of infestation were recorded for using fabric net on fruit crowns (14.44%) and the lowest were observed for using fabric net on pomegranate flowers (9.66%). Comparison of flower and fruit drop, fruit cracking and infestation between treatments indicated that complete covering of flowers with fabric net in the first decade of May can be recommended for reduction of E.ceratoniae infestation. Therefore, the results revealed that the using fabric net on pomegranate flowers can be recommended in this region.