The orientation of Tribolium castaneum adults in the presence of aggregation pheromone 4,8-dimethyldecanal and food oils.

Abstract

Monitoring of Tribolium castaneum, the red flour beetle, involves the use of aggregation pheromone 4,8- dimethyldecanal (4,8 DMD) and kairomones such as cereal oils. Despite their present use, certain information which maximizes the efficacy of these compounds is still lacking. These experiments tested the effects of distance from the pheromone and edible oils on the orientation of T. castaneum adults. The movement of adults toward the aggregation pheromone was determined by changing the distance from the pheromone or the air flow. The adults released inside a glass apparatus tested their orientation either toward the food oils or the empty vial. The maximum trap catch was recorded at distances up to 60 cm from the pheromone and with the presence of air flow. The oils having botanical origin successfully attracted adults than those of animal origin. It is concluded that the orientation of T. castaneum adults varies with the distance from pheromone, air flow and the nature of food oil.