RESISTANCE TO RASPBERRY BUD MOTH (LEPIDOPTERA, CARPOSINIDAE) IN RASPBERRY CULTIVARS

Raspberry cultivars (Rubus spp.) were screened for their susceptibility to larvae of the New Zealand raspberry bud moth, Heterocrossa rubophaga Dugdale (= Carposina adreptella Walker). A useful degree of resistance was found in some black and purple raspberry cultivars being selected for other agronomic characteristics. This useful trait was inherited in offspring of crosses made with resistant parents. Results of resistance evaluation in an excised leaf test and an excised shoot test were similar. Resistance in raspberry cultivars to H. rubophaga and a leaf roller Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) did not appear to be related. Development from egg hatch to adult emergence of the bud moth larvae on blackberry, R. echinatus Lindley, averaged 35.5 d. When given a choice, adult moths laid about three times more eggs on blackberry than red raspberry shoots. Eggs were stored for up to 10 d at 4-degrees-C without any adverse effect on egg hatch and larval establishment.