Mating disruption of lightbrown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana(Walker))was assessed in combination with reduced insecticide programmes covering 321 ha of trials in commercial Nelson apple (Malus domesticaBorkh.) orchards from 1990/91 to 1993/94. The aim was to compare insect control and insecticide residues under a combination of reduced insecticide plus pheromone, compared to the standard insecticide programme alone, on a commercial scale. The combination of the pheromone and two fewer spray applications post‐Christmas, including the omission of the final application 2 weeks before harvest, provided an equivalent level of leafroller control to the standard insecticide programme in 3 of the 4 years. Reduced insecticide use in the absence of pheromone had increased fruit damage. Individual sites where poor control was obtained with pheromone were characterised by a small treated area or poor application technique, indicated by trap catch inside the treated area. High rate pheromone (2000 dispensers/ha), yielded significantly less fruit damage at harvest than the standard pheromone rate (1000/ha). Azinphos‐methyl residues were reduced on fruit at harvest in the pheromone treatments, and the incidence of fruit with low or non‐detectable residues was increased. Prospects for managing leafrollers using pheromones in combination with reduced insecticide programmes are promising, although further work is needed to make this alternative more cost‐effective.