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  Technical Update 03

Pea Moth

Forecasting has now started for 2025.

First pea moth adults were recorded in traps from the 11th of May, and some growers may have reached thresholds in combining peas, earlier than usual.

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