The short-lived polygamous moth Grapholita molesta (Busck) is an important fruit pest worldwide. Trapping males by synthetic female sex pheromones is not an effective reproductive control strategy. It is important to improve this technology by understanding the mating system of G. molesta. This study investigated mating opportunities and fertile egg production by altering the operational sex ratio, mating age, and male mating history in repeated single mating and multiple mating in the two sexes. Our results showed that the mating and reproductive parameters of virgin males were affected by the number and age of virgin females. Males preferred a female number ≤three-fifths of the male number or ≤2-day-old females, while they discriminated against a female number ≥three times of the male number or ≥5-day-old females. On the other hand, the mating and reproductive parameters of virgin females were affected by repeated single mating and especially multiple mating under different male mating histories. Females preferred once-mated males and discriminated against virgin males. These results indicated that mating systems including more and older virgin females for virgin males and different virgin males for virgin females may be suitable for suppressing G. molesta populations. Hence, these results revealed that preventing mating of virgin adults by synthetic female sex pheromones should be most effective in controlling G. molesta.

Serious side effects from the conventional use of traditional chemical pesticides for routine arthropod pest management have prompted the investigation and development of alternate strategies for the minimization of pest damage. Insect sex pheromones have been proposed as a potential group of alternative control agents for over twenty years. The possible uses of these substances for insect control are discussed and factors influencing their development for pest management are presented. The scientific research and commercial development of oriental fruit moth mating disruption is presented as a case study for the commercialization of this approach. Advantages and limitations of pheromone-based control tactics are presented. Mating disruption technology is starting to find its place in a number of diverse cropping situations. The use of pheromones for pest control promises to be an important component of the ongoing challenge to develop alternatives that may help to solve major environmental and human health problems associated with chemical pesticide use in agriculture.