Mating disruption of the corn borer Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using sprayable formulations of pheromone

Abstract

Field trials to evaluate efficacy of two sprayable formulations of a binary pheromone blend of the maize pest Sesamia nonagrioides, were carried out from 1997 to 1999 in Spain, Greece and France. Efficacy was measured through inhibition of trap catches in treated fields and reduction of pest population growth between the first and second generations. Most treated fields showed over a 60% of trap catch inhibition within the 15 days following pheromone application. Reduction of pest population increase was variable in Spain and Greece according to the year, but mostly higher than 60%, and consistently high in France where values were above 65% during the 3 years in all replicates. Pheromone release rate was high during the first 2–3 days following application: less than 20% of the pheromone components sprayed remained on or were adsorbed into leaves 4–5 days after application. The effectiveness of mating disruption to control the S. nonagrioides population was at least as good as chemical application and additionally it is compatible with biological control applied in some areas of southern Europe.