Evidence that mass trapping suppresses pink bollworm populations in cotton fields

Abstract

AbstractMass trapping was used to control pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), populations in cotton fields in Brazil. Oil traps containing lures with a high dose of pheromone, installed at a density of 20 traps per ha soon after the occurrence of the first cotton fruits (or bolls), suppressed PBW populations below detection levels using Delta traps and manual examination of 100 green cotton bolls per ha. Pheromone sources of 0.2 g (approximately 150 NoMate® fibers) were effective in attracting PBW male moths to oil traps for at least three weeks. Trap captures showed that PBW males located the high concentration pheromone plumes, oriented upwind, and landed on or inside the traps. The long life of the pheromone sources and the long lasting viscosity of the oil surface ensured low trap maintenance, thus rendering mass trapping viable as an alternative technique for the control of P. gossypiella populations in commercial cotton fields. We discuss probable mechanisms promoting suppression of PBW populations in fields with mass trapping control.