Communication disruption of male Agrotis segetum moths with one or several sex pheromone components

Abstract

AbstractAttraction of male Agrotis segetum Dennis & Schiffermüller (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to sex pheromone traps in fields, which were treated with one or three pheromone components was investigated. Small plots of 1/4 ha size were treated with synthetic pheromone, released by 25 evenly dispersed latex rubber tube dispensers. The dispensers were loaded with either 500 μg Z5‐10:OAc (50 mg/ha), or 1000 μg Z7‐12:OAc (100 mg/ha), or a 3‐component mixture consisting of 500 μg Z5‐10:OAc + 1000 μg Z7‐12:OAc + 1000 μg Z9‐14:OAc. Pheromone traps were placed both within and outside of the treated area in a cross design, with an intertrap spacing of 15 m. Release rates from disruption dispensers were measured in the laboratory after being exposed in the field. The release rates of the components were estimated to be 0.44, 0.11, and 0.06 μg/h/dispenser for Z5‐10:OAc, Z7‐12:OAc and Z9‐14:OAc, respectively. The highest effect of disruption was achieved by the three‐component blend, resulting in a significant suppression of trap catches extending 5 m outside of the treated area. The Z5‐10:OAc treatment resulted in reduced trap catches inside the treated area, but the effect did not extend outside. Z7‐12:OAc alone did not result in any significant reduction in trap catch. The results indicate that different mechanisms may explain the disruptive effect of the treatments and that the single pheromone components are not as effective as the three‐component blend.