Recent research in pheromone trapping towards bio-intensive management of major insect pests in agro-ecosystems of India

Abstract

With the discovery of insect pheromones in intra-species communication in insects several decades back, the R&D on deploying synthetic insect pheromones as mimics of these olfactory signals is being increasingly explored for eco-friendly management of insect pests in major Agri-horticultural and forestry ecosystems. The focus of this paper is on the twin dimensions of pheromone deployment, namely monitoring the pest/vector populations and their utility in mass trapping for population suppression. The relevant pheromone trapping systems R&D scenario in India is illustrated with outcomes mainly from our on-going collaborative research. In particular, it has opened up the scope to identify more efficient pheromone trap design by clarifying that funnel/sleeve trap seems adequate to trap noctuid moths, while a modified Delta trap (Delta-Plus) is clearly superior for at least three Crambid moths, with focus on trap attributes to improve male moth arrivals and/ or minimize their escape tendency. The scope for integration of pheromone technology with biological control towards bio-intensive IPM is indicated. Further, the policy support environment and future requirements are also covered in this paper.