Abstract
Results presented here are the 1st report of synthetic lepidopteran female sex pheromone treatments increasing the infestation of a crop. Small squash, Cucurbita pepo (L.), plots treated with 5 mg of a pheromone blend of99:1 E,Z,-2,13-octadecadien-1-ol acetate and Z,Z,-3,13-octadecadien-1-ol acetate were significantly more infested by squash vine borer, Melittia cucurbitae (Harris), than control plots. In electroantennogram tests, antennae of both mated and virgin females responded significantly to squash vine borer pheromone blend and components. Infestations of squash vine borer are a result of female immigration from feral populations, so release of pheromones for mating disruption or monitoring in squash fields may not stop establishment of squash vine borer populations and may in fact attract females.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
