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Abstract
The Nantucket pine tip moth (Rhyacionia frustrana) is a significant pest of pine plantations in the southeastern United States. Current industry practice for controlling tip moth includes backpack application of permethrin insecticides. LastCall NPTM is an attracticide encapsulating both pheromone and insecticide components. This technology attempts to address the environmental concerns associated with conventional insecticide sprays. Varied rates of LastCall were tested in loblolly pine plantations in the Georgia Coastal Plain to determine optimal application procedures. Applications varied in the area treated and the per acre rate of application. Efficacy of treatments was determined by quantifying shoot damage and pre- and post-treatment tree volume measurements. All treated plots had significantly less damage than control plots with the most intensive treatment consistently yielding the greatest control. Alternative treatments resulted in adequate control but posed additional problems in untreated areas.