Influence of Pheromone Dose, Trap Height, and Septum Age on Effectiveness of Pheromones for Carpophilus mutilatus and C. hemipterus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in a California Date Garden

Abstract

Synthetic pheromones for Carpophilus mutilatus Erichson and C. hemipterus (L.) were field tested in a planting of ‘Deglet Noor’ dates in southern California to detemine effects of pheromone dose, trap height, and age of pheromone formulation on trap catch. Fermenting whole-wheat bread dough was the pheromone synergist in all cases. C. mutilatus was the most abundant nitidulid in the date garden, and trap catches were as high as 114,000 beetles per trap per 3-d period. For C. mutilatus, pheromone doses from 50 to 15,000 mg were significantly more attractive than controls, and trap catch increased with pheromone dose. Catch of C. mutilatus to its pheromone (500 mg) was significantly greater at a 3-m trap height than at 0.3 m. C. hemipterus responded Significantly to its pheromone at all doses (15 to 15,000 mg). In addition, C. mutilatus, C. obsoletus Erichson, and C. (Urophorus) humeralis (F.) responded to the C. hemipterus pheromone, and all four species responded best at the highest doses. With the C. hemipterus pheromone (500 mg) at trap heights between 0.3 and 3 m, captures of C. hemipterus, C. mutilatus, and C. obsoletus increased with trap height, but those for C. humeralis were greatest near the ground. Rubber septa with pheromone for either species became less effective over time. After 1 wk, septum activity ranged from 18% of its original value (C. mutilatlls responding to the C. mutilatus pheromone) to 90% (C. obsoletus responding to the C. hemipterus pheromone). In all experiments and with all species, males and females responded similarly. Trap responses are influenced strongly by the availability of food; in one case, sudden appearance of an abundant food source on the ground decreased responses of C. mutilatus by 99% within 1 wk. Implications of the study for using the pheromones in practical pest management are discussed.