Trapping the Meal Moth, Pyralis farinalis L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), with Acetic Acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol

Abstract

The first experiment was conducted to determine meal moth (P. farinalis) response to acetic acid, to 3-methyl-1-butanol and to a combination of the two chemicals used to bait traps. In the second experiment, the effects of attractant release rate on moth response were evaluated. Rate was adjusted by altering the size of the hole in the vial lid. Treatments were hole diameters of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 and 12.0 mm. In the third experiment, the reproductive status of female moths captured in traps baited with vials releasing acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol was evaluated. In the first experiment, significantly higher numbers of meal moths were captured in traps baited with the combination of acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol (11.5±4.0) compared to unbaited traps (0±0). Four moths were captured in traps baited with 3-methyl-1-butanol and no moths were captured in traps baited with acetic acid. In experiment 2, P. farinalis moths captured in traps baited with the combination of acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol increased with increases in vial hole diameter. In experiment 3, one trapped female was in reproductive class I (unmated and immature), one female in class II (mated and immature). Fifteen of the 26 trapped females dissected were in class III (mated and mature). Nine of the 26 trapped females were in class IV (senescent or nearly so). The results demonstrate that meal moths are attracted to acetic acid with 3-methyl-1-butanol.