Disruption of Pheromone Communication through the Use of Puffers for Control of Beet Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Tomatoes

Abstract

Puffer machines were designed for the release at 30-min intervals of puffs of a 2–component pheromone blend of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), from pressurized canisters. Pheromone components were ( Z,E )-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate and (Z)-9-tetradecenol in a 9:1 ratio. The amount of communication disruption attributable to the resulting pheromone permeation of the air above puffer-protected blocks of tomatoes was measured by comparing the numbers of male moths of the beet armyworm that located living females or synthetic beet armyworm lures used as bait in traps in the centers of these blocks with the numbers captured in similar traps in untreated blocks. When 40 puffers were positioned at 160-m separations only around the perimeters of 256-ha blocks of tomatoes (plus cotton), providing a pheromone release rate of 46 mg/ha/d, complete disruption of premating pheromone communication was achieved. A 60-ha block of tomatoes was provided with 117 puffers for 11 wk, during most of the period of tomato plant growth and maturation. The block received 266 mg of pheromone/ha/d. Greater than 99% communication disruption was achieved, measured by the reduction in numbers of male moths captured in female- or lurebaited traps. Beet armyworm egg masses laid by female moths in the treated block were 76% fewer than in a nonprotected, control block.