Processors and Growers Research Organisation

Pea Moth

Forecasting has now started for 2025.

Pea moth adults are still being recorded in traps in high numbers.

The table below gives predicted spray dates based on threshold catches in traps. For further information about pea moth or any other pest or disease, please call PGRO on 01780 782585.

It’s important to monitor pea moth presence on your farm using pheromone traps to help us provide accurate spray forecasts or other management advice for you.

A spray date is displayed below during the forecasting period, based on a model prediction, and should be checked 3 - 4 days after reaching a threshold in your traps.

Traps should be placed in pea crops in early to mid-May and monitored three times each week. In combining peas, a threshold is reached when 10 or more moths are caught in a trap on two consecutive occasions. In vining peas a lower threshold of damage is tolerated and traps should be used as an indication of moth presence.

Threshold dates may vary for different regions and it is important to monitor populations in your region to accurately predict spray date. Timing of sprays is related to egg development and this is affected by temperature. Control of the larvae must be carried out following egg-hatch and before they reach the pod, and the forecasting system accurately predicts this.

On the predicted spray date, crops which are at the first pod set stage or which have flowered should be sprayed, but later crops should only be sprayed when they reach first pod set. Crops with green pods are susceptible to damage. A second application should be applied 10-14 days later.

Predicted spray date for regions based on your threshold in pheromone traps

Threshold Date from your trap catches East S. East S. West E. Mids W. Mids Wales North Borders
27 Jun 04 Jul 03 Jul 07 Jul 04 Jul 04 Jul 07 Jul 06 Jul 10 Jul
30 Jun 09 Jul 08 Jul 10 Jul 09 Jul 09 Jul 12 Jul 11 Jul 13 Jul
02 Jul 12 Jul 11 Jul 12 Jul 12 Jul 12 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 15 Jul
04 Jul 15 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 16 Jul 16 Jul 16 Jul
07 Jul 18 Jul 18 Jul 18 Jul 18 Jul 18 Jul 18 Jul 19 Jul 20 Jul
09 Jul 21 Jul 21 Jul 21 Jul 21 Jul 21 Jul 20 Jul 22 Jul 22 Jul
...