Effect of trap height and spacing in relation to crop height on catches of the millet stemborer, Coniesta ignefusalis Males

Abstract

Studies were conducted using a water-based trap baited with the synthetic female sex pheromone to gain further understanding on the effect of trap height and spacing in relation to crop height on catches of males of the millet stemborer, Coniesta ignefusalis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Regardless of crop height, catches were greatest at trap heights of 0.10 and 0.50 m when the traps were stacked vertically. When traps were sited singly at 50 m spacing there was no significant difference in catches at the different heights. When trap spacing was varied from 50,15, 5,1 to 0 m, male moth catches in traps increased at lower trap heights, regardless of crop height. Comparison of catches in light traps and pheromone-baited traps showed a significant positive correlation. These findings have implications for both monitoring and development of millet stemborer control systems through mating disruption and mass trapping.