The variegated cutworm Peridroma saucia Hübner, a recently emerged polyphagous pest in China's Huang-Huai River Basin, uses sex pheromones (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16: Ac) and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14: Ac) for mate finding. Insect pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) serve as the primary filter for detecting specific sex pheromones. Although comprehensive functional analyses of PBPs exist, their binding mechanisms remain poorly characterized. In this study, we elucidated the binding properties and mechanisms of PsauPBP3 in sex pheromone recognition by computational and experimental approaches. PsauPBP3, predominantly expressed in male P. saucia antennae, showed high binding affinity for both Z11-16: Ac and Z9-14: Ac, as demonstrated by binding-free-energy calculations and fluorescence binding assays. Molecular dynamics simulations and docking studies identified five key residues (Thr-10, Phe-13, Ile-53, Ile-95, and Phe-119) that consistently interact with these pheromones, indicating their critical role in ligand binding. Computational alanine scanning further demonstrated that all five residues act as binding determinants, with Phe-13 and Ile-95 making particularly significant contributions to ligand affinity. The results were further validated by site-directed mutagenesis and fluorescence binding assays. This work provides insights into the function and binding mechanisms of PBPs in sex pheromone recognition and supports the development of targeted mating disruption strategies for P. saucia control.

In a three-year study, we investigated the efficacy of mating disruption (MD) on the spongy moth, Lymantria dispar L. in a forest complex in Slovenia. We included two treatments in the experiment: a negative control and a MD-treated area, where we used an MD product formulated as a biodegradable gel (water based, biodegradable). We applied the gel to the trunks of the forest trees (33.3 g active ingredient/ha) once per season, specifically on 4th August 2022, 28th June 2023, and 24th June 2024. To evaluate the method’s performance, pheromone traps were utilized in both treatments. The data indicate consistent effectiveness throughout the three-year period, characterized by the minimal male captures observed in the MD treatment areas after the gel was applied. The first moths were captured in the traps at DD (Degree-Day) values ranging from 661.7 to 773.3 and continued to be captured up to DD values between 1576.1 and 1642.8. Following the application of the MD, the population in the MD treatment was reduced by 100% in the first year. In the second year, the reduction was 96.33%, while in the third year of the experiment, the number of captured moths in the MD treatment was 99.20% lower compared to the control. Considering the overall data, the method disrupted Lymantria dispar male orientation effectively. Moreover, we also feel that these results show the most promise for using this method in urban and suburban areas, where L. dispar larvae can cause allergies in humans and animals and where the use of insecticides is reduced.

In Europe, due to reduced availability and efficacy of active ingredients, strategies against grapevine pests based on alternative tools to synthetic pesticides need to be developed. So far, attention has been mainly focused on biological control (arthropod natural enemies and entomopathogens) and mating disruption, but other means can also help keep pests below economic injury levels. This paper aims to review information on the direct effects of farmers' choices on grapevine pest populations, ranging from vineyard design (e.g., growing habitat, grapevine cultivar, and training system) to annual agronomic practices (e.g., fertilization, irrigation, and pruning), and specific cultural and physical methods. Information was based on the CABI Digital Library, websites and books on grapevine pests. The data presentation is based on control strategies rather than pests, as it was considered more important to focus on the mode of action of different practices and to know which pests they affect simultaneously. The widespread availability of insecticides has long led to the neglect of the potential of cultural practices, which can effectively integrate other pest control tools.

Implementing mating disruption (MD) programs to manage codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella (L.), should be based on knowledge of how effectively each program disrupts female mating. A recent survey of 142 pome fruit orchards under MD in Washington State and Oregon found that, on average, about half of the CM females caught in traps baited with a kairomone-based lure were mated. However, significantly lower proportions of mated females were sampled when the intensity of the MD program was increased. A standardized protocol that could reduce the large inter-orchard variability was developed, involving weekly releases of sterilized CM adults. Eleven trials were conducted in 2023 and 2024 across 82 orchards treated with 20 MD programs. The intensive MD programs were significantly more effective in reducing mating of both wild and sterile CM females. Three advantages of using sterile moths to assess CM MD were identified: (i) it minimized the impact of wild immigrant females or individuals previously exposed to sublethal spray residues; (ii) it allowed greater numbers of females to be dissected, thus increasing the precision of the mean value; and (iii) it and allowed the collection of sufficient sampling data (>5 CM females per site) from 30% more orchards than relying on wild moth catch.

Interactions between coexisting species can profoundly influence reproductive dynamics, particularly in systems involving heterospecific mating. Previously, we reported that Cheilomenes sexmaculata Fabricius affects the reproductive traits of Propylea dissecta Mulsant. Additionally, a prior study showed that heterospecific males of various ages exhibit varying behavior toward P. dissecta. In continuation of this line of research, we investigated how the mating status of C. sexmaculata males (unmated, once mated, or multiply mated [five times]) affects the reproductive outcomes in P. dissecta, a species commonly used in biological control. Earlier observations of heterospecific mating between C. sexmaculata males and P. dissecta females suggest that such interactions may influence reproductive success in conspecific pairings. Our finding indicate that multiply mated males exhibit increased mating disruption during conspecific interactions but show reduced responsiveness post mating. Conversely, unmated and once mated C. sexmaculata males exert greater reproductive interference, leading to increased heterospecific mating. This interference significantly impacted P. dissecta females, reducing fecundity, and egg viability, likely due to behavioral disruption and the consequences of heterospecific matings. These findings show that such interactions may drive selection for traits that minimize these costs. The interplay between conspecific and heterospecific interactions highlights a complex selective environment shaping reproductive strategies in coexisting species. As both species serve as important biocontrol agents, understanding these interactions is crucial for selecting compatible predator combinations and enhancing the efficiency of integrated pest management programs.

Vibrational mating disruption (VMD) is a promising strategy to control Scaphoideus titanus populations in vineyards, and it is based on the prolonged application of a species‐specific disturbance vibrational signal (DVS) on grapevines. Plants can react by different transcriptional, physiological, and morphological changes, according to the source and type of mechanical stimuli, but no information is available on possible side effects of DVS on grapevine plants. This study aimed to investigate grapevine response to DVS during VMD exposure under field and greenhouse conditions. No negative effects were observed on vine productivity, berry characteristics, and grape quality parameters in two consecutive seasons under field conditions. Chlorophyll, flavonol, and anthocyanin content, nitrogen balance index, stomatal conductance, electron transport rate, and leaf vapor pressure deficit were comparable in DVS‐treated and control plants under field and greenhouse conditions. Moreover, no modulation of genes related to defense, growth, and secondary metabolism was found in the leaves of DVS‐treated plants, indicating no negative impacts of VMD on grapevine physiology. The only observed difference associated with DVS treatment was an increased internodal length under field and greenhouse conditions with partial stimulation of shoot length. Although further studies are required to clarify the mechanism of internodal length stimulation, these results support the absence of negative effects of VMD on grapevines, encouraging its further application in commercial vineyards.

Chemical ecology has emerged as a powerful scientific discipline in the development of sustainable pest management strategies by exploring how insects communicate and interact with their environment through chemical signals. The review paper aims to explore the advances in chemical ecology of agricultural insects and their applications in pest management. Semiochemicals, including pheromones, kairomones, allomones, and synomones, play critical roles in insect behaviours such as mate finding, host selection, aggregation, and predator avoidance. Advances in analytical tools such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), electroantennography (EAG), and omics technologies have enabled the identification and functional characterisation of these compounds in key pest species. Pheromone-based technologies have been successfully applied in pest monitoring, mass trapping, and mating disruption across major agricultural systems, reducing reliance on broad-spectrum insecticides. The development of controlled-release formulations, microencapsulation techniques, and synthetic biosynthesis pathways has improved the stability, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of semiochemical products. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, including variability in field efficacy due to environmental factors, high production costs, limited availability for certain pest species, and gaps in the understanding of multitrophic interactions. Moreover, regulatory hurdles and adoption barriers continue to limit widespread implementation, particularly in low-resource farming systems. Future directions emphasise integrated, multi-modal approaches that combine visual, chemical, and tactile cues, along with the application of artificial intelligence for real-time pest detection and predictive modelling. Community-based strategies and participatory implementation are essential for maximising impact and ensuring equitable access. With growing concerns over pesticide resistance, environmental degradation, and food security, the strategic application of chemical ecology offers a promising path toward more precise, ecologically sound, and farmer-friendly pest management solutions. Continued interdisciplinary research, farmer engagement, and policy support will be essential to fully realise the potential of chemical ecology in achieving resilient and sustainable agricultural pest management systems. This review highlights recent advances, current applications, and future trends in the chemical ecology of agricultural insects, underscoring its pivotal role in modern integrated pest management programs.

Most assessments of sex pheromone-based mating disruption (MD) for codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella (L.), have not included measurements of female mating. The recent development of a dual-sex lure (CM4K) combining ethyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate, 4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, pyranoid linalool oxide, and acetic acid has significantly increased the catch of female CM and made it easier to directly assess various MD programs. Samples of wild female CM populations using this lure were collected from 142 orchards, either untreated or treated with one of seven different dispenser systems for CM MD, from 2021 to 2022. The proportion of unmated females ranged from <0.20 to >0.80 with a median of 0.43 in both years. No differences in the mean proportion of unmated females were found between apple and pear. Moth immigration and supplemental insecticide sprays were hypothesized to be key factors affecting the variability within each MD tactic. Mating levels were significantly higher later in the season. More females were unmated in conventional compared with organic orchards. Means for females not mating among the CM MD programs varied over a 0.20 range, except for one. The exception occurred when two MD tactics (aerosol units plus hand-applied dispensers) were accidentally used together, and the proportion of unmated females was significantly higher.

Planococcus ficus (Signoret) represents an economically significant pest in viticulture, requiring timely, innovative, and effective control measures. While the application of sex pheromones in vineyards has primarily focused on mating disruption, there is a lack of studies evaluating their use in mass trapping as a management tool for this pest. This study was conducted in a commercial vineyard of the Crimson Seedless variety in Ica, Peru, and the objective was the efficacy of pheromone-baited traps (CINNAFIC®) deployed from postharvest 2020 through postharvest 2021. During this period, a trap density of 15 traps.ha⁻¹ was maintained, resulting in the capture of 16,927 males, with a peak capture rate of 112.20 males.trap⁻¹.week⁻¹ observed during the berry development stage. The greatest control was observed at harvest, with a 59.12 % reduction in the total mealybug population, highlighted by the production of infestation-free, fully exportable grape clusters, compared to 7 % infestation in control plots. Trap deployment limited mating opportunities, significantly altering the population structure by reducing nymphs and ovipositing females in treated plots. These results demonstrate that integrating pheromone traps with cultural practices and timely applications of pesticides and botanical extracts enables effective mealybug control without exclusive reliance on chemical insecticides. It is concluded that pheromone traps constitute a sustainable, effective, and viable tool for the integrated management of P. ficus in vineyards.

Mating disruption (MD) is an environmentally friendly pest management approach that uses synthetic pheromones to interfere with insect mate location and reproduction. This review summarizes current progress in the application of MD for stored-product pests, with emphasis on Lepidoptera (Plodia interpunctella Hübner and Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Pyralidae)) and Coleoptera (Sitophilus spp. (Curculionidae)). For moth pests, numerous studies have demonstrated substantial suppression of mating and population growth under both laboratory and field conditions, particularly when MD is integrated with sanitation, monitoring and other IPM measures. Conversely, MD applications against beetles have been less successful due to their aggregation-based communication and lower volatility of their pheromones. Advances in pheromone formulation technology, including polymer dispensers, microencapsulated sprays and aerosol emitters, have improved pheromone stability and controlled release, although achieving uniform coverage in large and aerated storage environments remains challenging. The integration of MD with biological control, temperature management and reduced fumigant use offers promising directions for sustainable pest suppression. Continued development of smart-release devices, long-term field validation and integration with automated monitoring systems will further enhance the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of MD. Overall, MD represents a key behavioral component in reducing pesticide reliance and promoting sustainable management of stored-product pests.

The research was carried out at Voinești Research and Development Station for Fruit-Growing during the years 2023-2024, on apple cultivars with disease resistance 'Florina', 'Remar', 'Real', 'Inedit' and on susceptible cultivars 'Jonathan', 'Golden Delicious', and 'Idared'. Starting from the existing biological reserve, treatments were applied during the “mouse ear” phenophase and continued through the two summer generations, during the vegetation period. Various insecticides and combinations of pesticide products were tested. The most effective results during the “mouse ear” stage were obtained with the product combination: Plant-oil (paraffinic oil 790g/l) at 1.5% concentration + Mospilan 20 SG (acetamiprid 200 g/kg SG) at the concentration 0.05% (chemical insecticide), achieving a mortality rate of 96.5%, followed by Plant-oil (paraffinic oil 790g/l) alone at 1.5%, which lead to 90.5% mortality. For the summer generations, effective results were obtained with the following combinations: Mospilan 20 SG -acetamiprid 200 g/kg SG (0.05%) + Plant-oil - paraffinic oil 790g/l (0.1%), and Decis 25 WDG - deltametrin 250 g/kg (0.005%) + horticultural oil (0.1%), both leading to a mortality rate of 92.0%, compared to the untreated control, where natural predators contributed to only 29.5% mortality. In addition to applying alternative treatments carried to avoid resistance development, several other sustainable strategies are recommended, such as: installing pheromone traps for monitoring and mating disruption; performing proper pruning to remove infested branches; and eliminating plant debris. Alternative strategies provide a sustainable approach to managing San José scale (Quadraspidiotus perniciosus Comst.), a dangerous pest in fruit orchards, due to its significant impact on fruit quality and commercial value, and its ability to cause tree decline and eventual death.

Ascotis selenaria has recently shifted hosts to become a major defoliator in Southern China's eucalyptus plantations. To facilitate Integrated Pest Management (IPM), we investigated the genetic origins, life history, and reproductive bio-ecology of this population. Mitochondrial COI analysis revealed that the Southern China population aligns phylogenetically with South Asian clades, distinct from Northern China populations. Life table analysis confirmed six larval instars, with the final instar exhibiting exponential consumption, accounting for 79.68% of total food intake. Reproductive assays demonstrated significant protandry and a novel bimodal ovarian maturation rhythm (peaking on days 3 and 7). Crucially, female fecundity declined sharply after a 3-day mating delay, and mating with older males severely reduced egg hatchability in older females. These findings suggest that control thresholds must shift from visual damage assessment to monitoring early-instar larvae (1st-3rd instars). Furthermore, the combination of protandry and reproductive sensitivity implies that mating disruption strategies must be deployed prior to male emergence. This study provides the biological basis for a dual-window IPM framework targeting this emerging pest.

Abstract Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a significant global pest of tomato. Although sex pheromones serve as effective biological control tools, their utilization remains inefficient due to a limited understanding of the circadian rhythms of courtship and mating. This study details a six‐step “morning flight–mating” behavioral sequence in T . absoluta : (1) resting, (2) preparation for morning flight, (3) morning flight, (4) courtship, (5) mating, and (6) post‐mating cessation. Laboratory observations revealed that their rhythmic behavior occurred between 05:30 and 08:00, with a pronounced peak from 05:30 to 06:30, and high population densities negatively impacted mating success rates. Field experiments corroborated these laboratory observations. Furthermore, the synchronized synthesis and release of major and minor sex pheromone components aligned with the timing of calling and mating behavior. These findings suggest that the “morning flight–mating” rhythm is mediated by the pheromone release cycle. Our results offer a basis for optimizing the timing of pheromone‐based control techniques, such as mating disruption and mass trapping, to enhance the efficiency and reduce the cost of pest control.

SPLAT GM-Organic, a controlled-release pheromone formulation, has been used since 2008 in an area-wide integrated pest management program targeting spongy moth, Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae). In 2018, a noticeable decline in treatment performance raised concerns about potential changes in droplet characteristics affecting pheromone release and field longevity. To explore this, we evaluated the field efficacy of 3 SPLAT GM-Organic formulations applied in 2018, 2020, and 2021, and analyzed their droplet size distributions. Droplets were grouped into biologically meaningful diameter categories, and their proportions were examined using multivariate analyses and regression modeling. The findings indicate that efficacy and longevity were strongly influenced by droplet composition. Formulations containing higher proportions of large and ultra-large droplets achieved greater mating disruption and remained effective longer in the field. In contrast, formulations dominated by smaller droplets showed reduced performance. These results highlight the critical role of droplet size distribution in determining the success of SPLAT GM-Organic formulations. The ability to adjust droplet profiles through formulation design offers a practical strategy to improve the reliability and consistency of mating disruption treatments against spongy moth. More broadly, because SPLAT is widely used as a matrix for pheromone-based pest control in a variety of systems, these findings may inform formulation development and quality assurance efforts in other programs as well.

Natural population dynamics of Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, and its control based on pheromone trapping.

Integrated pest management programs often use pesticides alongside behavioral tactics, such as mating disruption, to manage pests. Pest management using biotremology, the study of vibrations produced by organisms, is gaining attention but requires substantial knowledge of pests and their environment. Here, we built on previous characterizations of vibrational mating signals in pear psylla to assess if pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola Förster) communication behavior can be exploited for pest management. Specifically, we conducted greenhouse experiments to test the efficacy of 3 vibrational playback treatments for mating disruption: (i) control, (ii) white noise, and (iii) male mating signals, using 2 delivery methods: (i) plant substrate and (ii) trellis wire; these 2 methods assessed whether devices attached directly to pear saplings or trellis wire supporting saplings provided similar results. We also conducted experiments in pear orchards to assess effectiveness of vibrational playbacks as trap supplements. In the greenhouse, white noise and male mating signals delivered through plant substrates reduced pear psylla offspring in 1 of 3 experiments, but never when delivered through trellis wires. Sticky traps in orchards supplemented with vibrational signals trapped more adults and females than sticky traps alone. The results of this study suggest that pear psylla vibrational communication may be exploited for pest control and pest monitoring, but variable efficacy among experiments suggests a need for further examination into delivery methods.

<scp>PP</scp> 1/314 (2) Evaluation of mating disruption techniques against lepidopteran pests in grapevine, pome and stone fruits under field conditions

The codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a major, economically important pest of apple orchards in Türkiye. This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the efficacy of the mating disruption technique in controlling C. pomonella in commercial apple orchards in the Beyşehir district (Konya) during the years 2023 and 2024. The experiments were conducted in six commercial apple orchards. Three of these orchards were treated with pheromones, while the remaining three served as control orchards. The efficacy of mating disruption was evaluated by comparing the number of C. pomonella males caught in Delta traps in pheromone-treated and control orchards and the infestation rates in these orchards. Delta traps baited with synthetic sex pheromone were hung in each pheromone-treated and control apple orchard to monitor the adult codling moths, and the number of males was recorded weekly. Once the first adult was caught in Delta traps, ISOCOD-C (380 mg (E,E)-8,10-Dodecadienol, dodecanol, tetradecanol) pheromone dispensers were hung at a dose of 500 pieces/ha, 1.5–1.8 m above the soil surface in four directions of the trees in the apple orchards where the mating disruption technique was applied. To determine the infestation rate of C. pomonella, 10 fruits from 10 trees (a total of 100 fruits) were randomly selected and the infested fruits were recorded weekly. ISOCOD-C pheromone dispensers suppressed capture of male moths in Delta traps and infestation rate in fruits in the treated orchards in both years, and the differences were found to be statistically significant in comparison to the control. In the pheromone-treated orchards, the mean number of males (trap/week) was 0.91 ± 0.18 and 0.81 ± 0.19 in 2023 and 2024, respectively, while this was 11.38 ± 1.64 in 2023 and 19.60 ± 2.65 in 2024 in the control orchards. The mean infestation rate (%) in the pheromone-treated orchards was 1.18 ± 0.21% and 2.50 ± 0.43%, in 2023 and 2024, respectively. In contrast, this rate was 13.26 ± 1.08% and 15.33 ± 1.02% in the control orchards. In addition, it was determined that the total number of sprays for codling moth in orchards using mating disruption decreased by 44.4% and 45.4% in 2023 and 2024, respectively, in comparison with the control. As a result, this study revealed that the ISOCOD-C pheromone disperser can be successfully used against C. pomonella in apple orchards.

Simple SummaryDeveloping effective tools for the sustainable management of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) remains a challenge. Pheromone-based control is attracting growing attention for managing this moth pest. In the present study, we assessed the efficacy of a mating disruption approach relying on biodegradable pheromone dispensers, tested at 300 and 500 dispensers/ha, for the control of T. absoluta on greenhouse tomato. The mating disruption strategy was coupled with a reference base treatment that alternates the most commonly used insecticides for the pest (the insecticide-based grower’s standard). Mating disruption with biodegradable dispensers achieved a significant reduction in T. absoluta male catches and leaf and fruit damages when compared to those obtained with the grower’s standard treatment alone, and performed better than commercial non-biodegradable dispensers. Overall, our study sheds light on the intriguing potential of biodegradable dispensers for T. absoluta management on greenhouse tomato.IPM approaches based on pheromone-based techniques for the management of the South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), are of great interest. We evaluated the effectiveness of mating disruption (MD) experiments against T. absoluta using a biodegradable pheromone dispenser (Isonet-T TT BIOX234) in greenhouse-grown tomatoes over two years in southern Italy. A base treatment alternating the most used insecticides for the pest, i.e., the farmer treatment schedule (FTS), was assigned as a reference, and two MD dispenser densities (i.e., 300 and 500 dispensers/ha) were compared with the MD commercial product Isonet T at 1000 units/ha. We conducted two trials on crops at a density of 37,000 plants/ha. Pest flights were monitored in summer–autumn 2023 and 2024 with pheromone-baited Delta traps. The FTS ensured a generally low level of T. absoluta attacks (about 1 leaflet/leaf and 1/300 fruits). Even so, mating disruption resulted in further appreciable reductions in the presence and attacks of the target pest: 89%, 76% and 52% fewer catches; 61%, 45% and 37% fewer mined leaflets; and 76%, 59% and 54% fewer attacked fruits, for Isonet-T TT 500, Isonet-T TT 300 and Isonet T 1000, respectively. Overall, MD biodegradable dispensers could be a valuable tool for controlling T. absoluta in greenhouse-grown tomatoes, while also reducing plastic waste in the agricultural setting.

ABSTRACT Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a key phytosanitary pest of citrus in South Africa. The pest damages fruit by burrowing and feeding on the pulp, thus causing yield losses and export rejections. There are several T. leucotreta management strategies, such as orchard sanitation, mating disruption, attract‐and‐kill, the use of biocontrol agents, and the sterile insect technique. A laboratory cage study was conducted to examine the impact of different combinations of treated (sterile) and untreated (fertile) T. leucotreta adults on fruit damage and reproduction rate. Thaumatotibia leucotreta adults were grouped into different combinations of treated (T) and untreated (U) male (M) and female (F): UM × UF (control), TM × UF, UM × TF, TM × TF, and UM × UF × TM × TF. These combinations were released into cages to mate and oviposit on the Navel oranges. Each treatment was replicated three times, and the experiment was repeated three times. After 4 weeks, the number of damaged fruit and larval entries per fruit per cage were recorded. Damaged fruit per treatment were then incubated until all emerging F1 progeny were collected and outcrossed with fertile T. leucotreta . Fecundity and fertility per treatment were recorded. Cages with sterile T. leucotreta had significantly fewer damaged fruit, larval entries, and emerged F1 adults compared to the control, except for UM × UF × TM × TF treatments. Similarly, control cages and UM × UF × TM × TF treatments had significantly higher fecundity and fertility compared to other treatments involving sterile T. leucotreta . The TM × UF combination exhibited the lowest rate of increase per generation (&lt; 0.57× from the parental to F1 generation), demonstrating a reduction in the fertile population. The results demonstrated that the release of sterile T. leucotreta leads to sterile‐fertile matings rather than fertile‐fertile matings, thereby aiding in pest suppression in the T. leucotreta SIT programme.