The use of azin phosmethyl (e.g. Guthion), an organophosphate insecticide, for codling moth control began in the late 1950s and has worked well during the past 35 years.

However, the decreasing effectiveness of organophosphate insecticide, the most common type of broad-spectrum insecticide used in controlling the major lepidopterous pests of fruit, the possible development of cross-resistance to carbamate insecticides, and the negative effects of pyrethroid insecticides on biological control agents have stimulated research and development for alternative insecticide chemistries and control tactics for orchard pest management.

A few approaches that are compatible with current orchard pest management programs and show promise for codling moth control are: mating disruption techniques, the use of synthetic insect growth regulators, and a combination of these approaches with conventional insecticide treatments.

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