Pheromone-baited Trap Research Articles

Monitoring and Mass Trapping of the Codling Moth, Cydia pomonella, by the Use of Pheromone Baited Traps in Kargil, Ladakh, India

This study was conducted in six major apple growing areas of the Kargil region during 2009 and 2010; pheromone traps were evaluated for the monitoring and mass trapping of the codling moth. Monitoring the population dynamics of Cydia pomonella in 2009 revealed that the first catch was observed on 21 May, the highest on 11 June, and the lowest on 13 August at all of the locations. The dynamics were similar, but the population was lower in 2010. Climatic variables were more or less similar in both of the years. So, effective monitoring for the codling moth is essential and was highest in Hardas and lowest in Gongma during 2009 and highest in Shilikchey and lowest in Poyen in 2010.

Seasonal Phenology of Pseudococcus maritimus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and Pheromone-Baited Trap Survey of Four Important Mealybug Species in Three Wine Grape Growing Regions of Oregon

Abstract Grape mealybug, Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a pest of grape vines, Vitis vinifera (Vitales: Vitaceae) and a known vector of several strains of grapevine leafroll-associated virus. Seasonal increase and decline of Ps. maritimus populations on wine grapes is described in each of three important grape growing regions in Oregon using pheromonebaited traps and visual monitoring. Delta traps and genomic verification of collected sessile stages found that only Ps. maritimus is present in Oregon vineyards. Seasonal pheromone-baited trapping and visual surveys during 2010 and 2011 identified two population peaks for adult male flight and sessile developmental stages on vines in Southern Oregon and the Columbia Basin. Willamette Valley vineyards identified one peak male flight period using pheromone-baited traps but no sessile individuals were found in visual surveys. Seasonal developmental stages are described for Southern Oregon and the Columbia Basin. First instar stages generally were observed one month before peak male flight and were less abundant during peak flight. Adult females and late instar stages were found on vines at the peak of male flight. Pheromone monitoring identified the presence of mealybug populations in viticultural areas, even when intensive visual surveys were unable to do so.

Factors Affecting Pheromone-Baited Trap Capture of Male <I>Coleophora deauratella</I>, an Invasive Pest of Clover in Canada

Coleophora deauratella Leinig and Zeller (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) is an invasive pest of red clover, Trifolium pratense L. (Fabeles: Fabaceae), grown for seed in Canada. A pheromone-based monitoring program to determine the presence and seasonal activity of adult C. deauratella would be a valuable tool for growers because larvae are difficult to sample due to their internal feeding behavior. We conducted field experiments to evaluate several pheromone-baited trap characteristics, including pheromone lure substrate, trap type, trap color, lure longevity, trap height, and field position. The type of substrate that pheromone was released from and lure age did not affect trap capture of male C. deauratella. Moth capture in nonsaturating green Unitraps was significantly higher than Diamond or Wing traps when inspected at 2-wk intervals. Multi-colored Unitraps caught significantly more male C. deauratella than Diamond, and Wing traps when inspected at weekly intervals. Trap color did not influence C. deauratella capture, but by-catch of bumblebees, Bombus spp., was greatest in yellow and white colored Unitraps. Traps placed 35 cm above the soil surface captured more male C. deauratella than those placed at 1 m above or at ground level regardless of trap position within the field. Green Unitraps baited with either gray or red rubber septa lures placed 35 cm above the soil surface and 5 m from the field edge should be used to monitor C. deauratella. These characteristics optimize pheromone-baited trap performance and reduce by-catch of beneficial insects, and should be incorporated into a C. deauratella pheromone-monitoring program.

Phylogeographic Diversity of the Winter Moths Operophtera brumata and O. bruceata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Europe and North America

Abstract The European winter moth, Operophtera brumata (L.), an invasive forest defoliator, is undergoing a rapid range expansion in northeastern North America. The source of this invasion, and phylogeographic diversity throughout its native range, has not been explored. To do this, we used samples from a pheromone-baited trap survey of O. brumata collected across its native range in Europe, and invasive range in North America. Traps in North America also attract a congeneric species, the Bruce spanworm O. bruceata (Hulst), and the western Bruce spanworm O. b. occidentalis (Hulst). From this sampling, we sequenced two regions of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I mitochondrial gene; one region corresponds to the DNA ‘barcode’ region, the other is a nonoverlapping section. We used these sequences, in combination with sequence data from a recent survey of the Geometridae in western North America, for phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses to characterize genetic divergence and variation for O. brumata in North America and Europe, and O. bruceata and O. b. occidentalis in North America. We found O. brumata mtDNA diversity to be dominated by a single widespread, and common haplotype. In contrast, O. bruceata shows high haplotype diversity that is evenly distributed throughout North America. Phylogeographic patterns indicate an introduction of O. brumata in British Columbia likely originated from Germany, and suggest the invasive population in northeastern North America may have its origins in the United Kingdom, and/or Germany. We found uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence between Operophtera species to be ≈7%. O. b. occidentalis is ≈ 5% divergent from O. bruceata, has a restricted range in the Pacific Northwest, and has unique morphological characters. Together these lines of evidence suggest O. b. occidentalis may be deserving of species status. Additionally, a single morphologically unique Operophtera specimen, similar to O. bruceata, was collected in southern Arizona, far outside the known range of O. bruceata. This suggests that North America may contain further, unsampled, Operophtera diversity.

Pheromone-Based Monitoring of <I>Pseudococcus maritimus</I> (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Populations in Concord Grape Vineyards

The grape mealybug, Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn), is the dominant mealybug in Washington's Concord grape vineyards (Vitis labrusca L.). It is a direct pest of fruit clusters and a vector of grapevine leafroll-associated viruses. Using traps baited with the sex pheromone of Ps. maritimus, we determined the optimal trap density for monitoring Ps. maritimus, with the goal of providing a more rapid monitoring method for Ps. maritimus than visual surveys. Varying densities of pheromone-baited traps (one, four, and eight traps per 12.14 ha) were deployed in Concord vineyards to monitor Ps. maritimus seasonal phenology in 2010 and 2011. In both years, flights of adult males were detected in early May and captures peaked twice per season in mid-June and mid-August, indicating two generations each year. Trap data were analyzed using Taylor's Power Law, Iwao's patchiness regression, and the K parameter of the negative binomial model to determine optimal sample size. The formula using the K parameter provided the lowest required sample size, showing that four to eight traps per 12.14 ha were needed to provide 30% sampling precision efficiency throughout the entire season. Fewer traps were needed during flight peaks when trap capture numbers were great. Only one pheromone-baited trap per 12.14 ha was sufficient to provide Ps. maritimus flight phenology data to make informed management decisions. Species-specific pheromone-baited traps deployed for Planococcus ficus (Signoret), Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti), and Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) did not detect any of these species in the vineyards sampled.

The potential for pheromone-based monitoring to predict larval populations of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), in canola (Brassica napus L.)

Numbers of adult diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), captured in pheromone-baited traps may predict the density of damaging larval stages in canola, Brassica napus L. Two years of season-long experiments in Alberta, Canada compared captures of male moths in traps baited with commercial pheromone to larval densities. Significant relationships between moth catch and larval density were infrequent and generally curvilinear indicating that moth numbers were not directly related to larval density. Stronger relationships occurred late season and may indicate that population establishment is necessary before moth capture can predict larval populations. Relationships between moth capture and immature stages sampled at the same time were similar to those sampled two weeks later. A statistically similar number of moths was captured throughout the season in traps baited with lures changed at 6- versus 3-week intervals. During years of moderate and low populations of diamondback moth in canola, moth counts from one pheromone-baited trap per field are sensitive enough to detect densities of immature stages and are more accurate than sweep net sampling. Experiments have contributed to the development of a monitoring system to forecast P. xylostella densities in canola, but research of additional variables may help to develop a consistent relationship between moth catch and larval and pupal densities.

Enhanced Attraction of <I>Plutella xylostella</I> (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) to Pheromone-Baited Traps With the Addition of Green Leaf Volatiles

Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is one of the most serious pests of Brassicaceae crops worldwide. Electrophysiological and behavioral responses of P. xylostella to green leaf volatiles (GLVs) alone or together with its female sex pheromone were investigated in laboratory and field. GLVs 1-hexanol and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol elicited strong electroantennographic responses from unmated male and female P. xylostella, whereas (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate only produced a relatively weak response. The behavioral responses of unmated moths to GLVs were further tested in Y-tube olfactometer experiments. (E)-2-Hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate induced attraction of males, reaching up to 50%, significantly higher than the response to the unbaited control arm. In field experiments conducted in 2008 and 2009, significantly more moths were captured in traps baited with synthetic sex pheromone with either (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate alone or a blend of (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, and (E)-2-hexenal compared with sex pheromone alone and other blend mixtures. These results demonstrated that GLVs could be used to enhance the attraction of P. xylostella males to sex pheromone-baited traps.

Development of a new shape of pheromone trap for the bean bug, Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae)

Riptortus pedestris F. [=R. clavatus (Thunberg)] is one of the most serious pests affecting the cultivation of sweet persimmon, which is one of the most important export fruits in Korea. A pheromone-baited trap has been used in attempts to control this pest. In this study, the development of a more efficient pheromone-baited trap for R. pedestris was pursued by investigating three different shapes of traps: the fish trap, the pyramidal trap, and the symmetry trap. The fish trap, which is the only one commercially available, captured the lowest number of R. pedestris, and the pyramidal trap showed moderate capture efficacy. The symmetry trap captured significantly greater numbers of R. pedestris adults (ca. 6 and 28 times more than the pyramidal and fish trap, respectively). Significantly increased trapping efficacy of the symmetry trap would be useful for mass trapping of R. pedestris.

Effect of age, female mating status and density on the banana weevil response to aggregation pheromone

The banana (Musa spp.) weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major pest in East Africa causing yield losses of up to 14 metric tonnes per hectare annually. Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to determine whether the response of the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to its aggregation pheromone was influenced by age, female mating status and weevil density. Laboratory bioassays were conducted using a double pitfall olfactometer, while a bucket pitfall trap was used in field experiments. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in response to pheromone between immature and mature weevils (males and females) in laboratory bioassays. Forty-day-old weevils had a stronger response to the pheromone than 10-day-old ones under field conditions. The response of unmated weevils to the pheromone was stronger than that of mated weevils, both in the laboratory and field. The percentage of unmated and mated weevils recaptured from 0 and 3 m were similar but significantly different from 6 m way from the pheromone baited trap. The response of the weevils to the pheromone was not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by its previous density.Key Words: Cosmopolites sordidus, mating status, olfactometer

Field Evaluation of Effect of Temperature on Release of Disparlure From a Pheromone-Baited Trapping System Used to Monitor Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

Traps baited with disparlure, the synthetic form of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), sex pheromone are used to detect newly founded populations and estimate population density across the United States. The lures used in trapping devices are exposed to field conditions with varying climates, which can affect the rate of disparlure release. We evaluated the release rate of disparlure from delta traps baited with disparlure string dispenser from 1 to 3 yr across a broad geographic gradient, from northern Minnesota to southern North Carolina. Traps were deployed over approximately 12 wk that coincided with the period of male moth flight and the deployment schedule of traps under gypsy moth management programs. We measured a uniform rate of release across all locations when considered over the accumulation of degree-days; however, due to differences in degree-day accumulation across locations, there were significant differences in release rates over time among locations. The initial lure load seemed to be sufficient regardless of climate, although rapid release of the pheromone in warmer climates could affect trap efficacy in late season. Daily rates of release in colder climates, such as Minnesota and northern Wisconsin, may not be optimal in detection efforts. This work highlights the importance of local temperatures when deploying pheromone-baited traps for monitoring a species across a large and climatically diverse landscape.

Evaluation of Pheromone-Baited Traps for Winter Moth and Bruce Spanworm (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

We tested different pheromone-baited traps for surveying winter moth, Operophtera brumata (L.) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), populations in eastern North America. We compared male catch at Pherocon 1C sticky traps with various large capacity traps and showed that Universal Moth traps with white bottoms caught more winter moths than any other trap type. We ran the experiment on Cape Cod, MA, where we caught only winter moth, and in western Massachusetts, where we caught only Bruce spanworm, Operophtera bruceata (Hulst) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), a congener of winter moth native to North America that uses the same pheromone compound [(Z,Z,Z)-1,3,6,9-nonadecatetraene] and is difficult to distinguish from adult male winter moths. With Bruce spanworm, the Pherocon 1C sticky traps caught by far the most moths. We tested an isomer of the pheromone [(E,Z,Z)-1,3,6,9-nonadecatetraene] that previous work had suggested would inhibit captures of Bruce spanworm but not winter moths. We found that the different doses and placements of the isomer suppressed captures of both species to a similar degree. We are thus doubtful that we can use the isomer to trap winter moths without also catching Bruce spanworm. Pheromone-baited survey traps will catch both species.

Pheromone-Baited Traps for Assessment of Seasonal Activity and Population Densities of Mealybug Species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Nurseries Producing Ornamental Plants

Operational parameters of traps baited with the pheromones of three mealybug species were optimized in nurseries producing ornamental plants. All pheromone doses (1-320 microg) attracted Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti) and Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) males, with the lowest dose (1 microg) attracting the fewest males for both species. Doses of 3.2-100 microg were as attractive to male P. longispinus as the highest dose (320 microg); doses from 10 to 320 microg were equally attractive for P. viburni males. Lures containing 25-microg doses of either pheromone had effective field lifetimes of at least 12 wk. Experiments were performed to test the efficacy of combining multiple pheromones to attract several species of mealybugs simultaneously. Lures loaded with a mixture of the pheromones of P. longispinus, P. viburni, and Planococcus citri (Risso) were as attractive to P. viburni and P. citri as lures with their individual pheromones. Response of P. longispinus to the blend was decreased by 38% compared with its pheromone as a single component. A subsequent trial with two-component blends showed that the pheromone ofP. citri was responsible for this modest decrease in P. longispinus response. This should not affect the overall efficacy of using these lures for monitoring the presence of all three mealybug species simultaneously. Pheromone traps were used to detect infestations of P. longispinus throughout the season and to track population cycles. When pheromone-baited traps for P. longispinus were compared with manual sampling, trap counts of male mealybugs were significantly correlated with mealybugs counted on plants in the vicinity of the traps.

Survey for Winter Moth (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Northeastern North America with Pheromone-Baited Traps and Hybridization with the Native Bruce Spanworm (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

AbstractWe used pheromone-baited traps to survey the distribution of winter moth, Operophtera brumata (L.) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), a new invasive defoliator from Europe in eastern New England. The traps also attracted Bruce spanworm, Operophtera bruceata (Hulst) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), native to North America. We distinguished between the two species by examining male genitalia and sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene, the DNA barcoding region. In 2005, we recovered winter moths at sites stretching from eastern Long Island, southeastern Connecticut, all of Rhode Island, eastern Massachusetts, coastal New Hampshire, and southern coastal Maine. At sites further west and north we captured only Bruce spanworm. In 2006, we confirmed that both winter moth and Bruce spanworm are present in Nova Scotia and in coastal Maine, but only Bruce spanworm was recovered in coastal New Brunswick, Canada; Pennsylvania; Vermont; or Quebec City, Canada. In 2007, we collected Bruce spanworm, but no winter moths, in New Brunswick and the interior areas of Maine, New Hampshire, and New York. Winter moth and Brace spanworm differed in the COI sequence by 7.45% of their nucleotides. The prevalence of intermediate genitalia in the zone of overlap suggested that hybridization between the two species may be occurring. To confirm the presence of hybrids, we sequenced the nuclear gene, glucose-6phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). We identified six nucleotides that routinely distinguished winter moth and Bruce spanworm, of which three were always diagnostic. We showed that eggs produced by hybridizing the two species in the laboratory contained copies of both species at these six sites. We found that most of the moths collected in the field with intermediate genitalia had winter moth CO1 and G6PD sequences and thus were not hybrids (or at least F1 hybrids). We found three hybrids out of 158 moths with intermediate genitalia in the region where both species were caught. We conclude that hybrids occur in nature, but are not as common as previously reported. Introgression of genes between the two species may still be significant.

Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Flight Behavior and Phenology Based on Field-Deployed Automated Pheromone-Baited Traps

Populations of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), are extensively monitored in the United States through the use of pheromone-baited traps. We report on use of automated pheromone-baited traps that use a recording sensor and data logger to record the unique date-time stamp of males as they enter the trap. We deployed a total of 352 automated traps under field conditions across several U.S. states over a 5-yr period. In many cases, there was general congruence between male moth capture and the number of recorded events. Although it was difficult to decipher an individual recording event because of the tendency for over-recording, the overall distribution of recorded events was useful in assessing male gypsy moth flight behavior and phenology. The time stamp for recorded events corroborated a previous report of crepuscular gypsy moth male flight behavior, because, although most moths were trapped between 12 and 16 h, there was a consistent period of flight activity between 20 and 22 h. The median male flight duration was 24 d (228 DD, base threshold = 10 degrees C), but there were several traps that recorded flight periods >42 d that could not be explained by overcounting given the congruence between moth capture and the number of recorded events. Unusually long flight periods could indicate the introduction of male moths or other life stages that developed under different climatic conditions.

Relative and Seasonal Abundance of Three Bark Beetle Predators (Coleoptera: Trogositidae, Cleridae) Across an Elevation Gradient in Ponderosa Pine Forests of North Central Arizona

We examined abundance and flight periodicity of 3 predators of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), Temnochila chlorodia (Mannerheim) (Coleoptera: Trogositidae), Enoclerus sphegeus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), and E. lecontei (Wolcott) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), across an elevational gradient of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Lawson) forests in north central Arizona. Predator populations were estimated at 10 sites in each of 3 elevation bands (low: 1600–1736 m; mid: 2058–2230 m; high: 2505–2651 m) for 3 years (2004–2006) using pheromone-baited funnel traps targeting 3 primary bark beetle species. We also investigated how predator abundance and flight seasonality related to those of 5 bark beetle species: lps pini (Say), I. lecontei Swaine, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, D. brevicomis LeConte, and D. adjunctus Blandford. Temnochila chlorodia was most abundant in the low- and mid-elevation bands, whereas E. sphegeus was most abundant in the high-elevation band. Enoclerus lecontei showed no consistent elevational trend in abundance. Within each elevation band, changes in annual abundance of pooled predator species tracked shifts in abundance of pooled bark beetle species. In general, predator flight initiation coincided with or closely followed bark beetle flight initiation in the spring, but predator flight terminated before flight activity ended for most bark beetle species in the fall. In addition, the ratio of prey to predators was lowest in the summer and highest in the fall. This suggests that all bark beetle species examined may be provided temporal escape from their predators in the fall. For all 3 predator species, the pheromone-baited trap targeting D. brevicomis was less attractive than the pheromone-baited traps targeting I. pini and I. lecontei.

Flight Phenology of MaleCactoblastis cactorum(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) at Different Latitudes in the Southeastern United States

ABSTRACT Long term trapping studies of the invasive moth Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) were conducted at various latitudes from Puerto Rico to South Carolina. Three flight periods per year were identified at the 5 temperate sites studied, which covered the majority of the infested range on mainland United States. In general, the 3 flight periods across a latitudinal gradient from south Florida to central, coastal South Carolina were a spring flight during Feb–-May, a summer flight during Jun–Aug, and a fall flight during Sep–Nov. At any 1 site, each flight period lasted about 2 months. In the tropical areas of the Florida Keys and a Caribbean Island, the insect exhibited overlapping generations. Previous studies of this insect (as a biological control agent) report 2 flight periods per year in its native range of Argentina and its introduced range of Australia and South Africa. A synthetic pheromone-baited trap was a good indicator of generational time, and we suggest that trapping assays in these areas wi...

Modeling distributions of flying insects: Effective attraction radius of pheromone in two and three dimensions

The effective attraction radius (EAR) of an attractive pheromone-baited trap was defined as the radius of a passive “sticky” sphere that would intercept the same number of flying insects as the attractant. The EAR for a particular attractant and insect species in nature is easily determined by a catch ratio on attractive and passive (unbaited) traps, and the interception area of the passive trap. The spherical EAR can be transformed into a circular EAR c that is convenient to use in two-dimensional encounter rate models of mass trapping and mating disruption with semiochemicals to control insects. The EAR c equation requires an estimate of the effective thickness of the layer where the insect flies in search of mates and food/habitat. The standard deviation ( SD) of flight height of several insect species was determined from their catches on traps of increasing heights reported in the literature. The thickness of the effective flight layer ( F L ) was assumed to be SD · 2 · π , because the probability area equal to the height of the normal distribution, 1 / ( SD · 2 · π ) , times the F L is equal to the area under the normal curve. To test this assumption, 2000 simulated insects were allowed to fly in a three-dimensional correlated random walk in a 10-m thick layer where an algorithm caused them to redistribute according to a normal distribution with specified SD and mean at the midpoint of this layer. Under the same conditions, a spherical EAR was placed at the center of the 10-m layer and intercepted flying insects distributed normally for a set period. The number caught was equivalent to that caught in another simulation with a uniform flight density in a narrower layer equal to F L , thus verifying the equation to calculate F L . The EAR and F L were used to obtain a smaller EAR c for use in a two-dimensional model that caught an equivalent number of insects as that with EAR in three dimensions. This verifies that the F L estimation equation and EAR to EAR c conversion methods are appropriate.

Spatial Analysis of <I>Lobesia botrana</I> (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Male Population in a Mediterranean Agricultural Landscape in Central Italy

The results obtained from the spatial analysis of pheromone-baited trap catch data of Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermüller) males are reported. The research was undertaken in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. In the study area, vineyards (of Vitis vinifera L.) are the predominant cultivation, surrounded by hedgerows and small woodlots, and interspersed with cereal crops and olive groves. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the spatio-temporal dynamics of L. botrana, inside and outside vineyards, and to evaluate the effect of the landscape elements on pest distribution. A trend orientation over the experimental area was observed along the direction from northwest to southeast. Correlograms fitted using a spherical model showed in all cases an aggregated distribution and an estimated range having a mean of 174 m in 2005 and 116 m in 2006. Contour maps highlighted that spatial distribution of L. botrana was not limited to vineyards, but its presence is high particularly inside olive groves. The adult distribution on the experimental area changed during the season: hot spots of flight I were positioned inside olive groves; during flights II and III, they were concentrated in vineyards. L. botrana males were also captured in uncultivated fields, but never in high densities. Our results showed that a large proportion of the adult population of L. botrana inhabits areas outside those usually targeted by pest management programs. Thus, in Mediterranean agro-ecosystems, it is highly recommended to consider the whole landscape, with particular attention to olive crops.

Monitoring of European Corn Borer with Pheromone-Baited Traps: Review of Trapping System Basics and Remaining Problems

Since the identification of female European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) pheromone, pheromone-baited traps have been regarded as a promising tool to monitor populations of this pest. This article reviews the literature produced on this topic since the 1970s. Its aim is to provide extension entomologists and other researchers with all the necessary information to establish an efficient trapping procedure for this moth. The different pheromone races of the European corn borer are described, and research results relating to the optimization of pheromone blend, pheromone bait, trap design, and trap placement are summarized followed by a state-of-the-art summary of data comparing blacklight trap and pheromone-baited trap techniques to monitor European corn borer flight. Finally, we identify the information required to definitively validate/invalidate the pheromone-baited traps as an efficient decision support tool in European corn borer control.

Monitoring of European Corn Borer with Pheromone-Baited Traps: Review of Trapping System Basics and Remaining Problems

Since the identification of female European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) pheromone, pheromone-baited traps have been regarded as a promising tool to monitor populations of this pest. This article reviews the literature produced on this topic since the 1970s. Its aim is to provide extension entomologists and other researchers with all the necessary information to establish an efficient trapping procedure for this moth. The different pheromone races of the European corn borer are described, and research results relating to the optimization of pheromone blend, pheromone bait, trap design, and trap placement are summarized followed by a state-of-the-art summary of data comparing blacklight trap and pheromone-baited trap techniques to monitor European corn borer flight. Finally, we identify the information required to definitively validate/invalidate the pheromone-baited traps as an efficient decision support tool in European corn borer control.