UK-based pest management group Exosect has revealed that it has been granted emergency approval to market its ExosexLBAMTab product to help combat the growing threat of the light brown apple moth in the UK.

The product works by attracting male moths to a tablet, where electrostatic Entostat powder attaches to the males, rendering them unable to detect female moths for mating.

ExosexLBAMTab is more effective than traditional pesticide sprays because apple moth larvae construct a harbourage by rolling together leaves, buds or fruit with webbing, the group said.

'This result is a huge win for our industry,' said Alison Tod, Orchard and Vines product manager. 'To offer a solution at a time when growers are expected to supply top quality produce with minimal residues without all the necessary tools makes this emergency approval perfectly apt to complete the growers' toolkit.'

The light brown apple moth, or Epipyhas postvittana, is recorded as being associated with over 2,000 plant species, making it a widespread problem for the horticultural industry.

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