Wick Dispensers Research Articles

Efficiency and Sustainability of Ips duplicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Pheromone Dispensers with Different Designs

Ips duplicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a bark beetle that recently invaded southern Europe. It produces intense outbreaks in the spruce stands installed outside their natural area. Pheromone dispensers with different designs are used for monitoring this species. Compounds are released either by wick (ID Ecolure) or polyethene foil (ID RO and Pheagr IDU). We performed a series of laboratory and field experiments to compare the efficiency and sustainability of these dispensers in terms of pheromone release. The first experiment compared the Ips duplicatus capture dynamics between the ID Ecolure and ID RO in pheromones traps in three localities for 60 days. Release rates of used dispensers were evaluated in the same period. The second experiment analyzed headspace chemical composition in three dispensers (ID Ecolure, ID RO, Pheagr IDU) and tested their activity in pheromone traps. Active compounds content released by tested dispensers varied. The wick dispensers’ release rates (ID Ecolure) were strongly reduced from 365 to 50 mg/day within two weeks and then steadily to 16 mg/day after 60 days. Release rates of the polyethene dispensers (ID RO) remained constant over 60 days (20–24 mg/day). The highest initial emission was in the ID Ecolure. The ratio of pheromone components (ipsdienol/E-myrcenol) was lower for ID Ecolure (5) and ID RO (10) and higher for Pheagr IDU (565). In the field experiments, significantly more Ips duplicatus were caught with ID Ecolure than ID RO and Pheagr IDU in the first two weeks. Later, the attractivity of ID RO remained high, but captures by ID Ecolure were significantly reduced. The captures of Ips typograhus were also considered. We propose that the wick-type dispensers are a promising tool for controlling the hibernating beetle generation. The foil release dispensers can be used to monitor Ips duplicatus flight activity.

Improving the Lifetime Efficiency of Trimedlure-Dispensing System in Trapping the Fruit Fly Ceratitis capitata Using Polyethylene Matrix.

Detection of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), is highly reliant on traps loaded with trimedlure (TML), a male-specific attractant. The successful application of attractants requires that constituents are placed in a suitable dispensing system to reduce volatilization and increase the effective field longevity of the attractant. A series of trials were conducted in different fruit orchards to test 1) the efficiency of a polyethylene-matrix plug in regulating the emission rate of TML 2) and the lifetime attractiveness of the plug compared to the cotton wick dispenser. Cotton dispensers containing the recommended dose of TML (0.75 cm3) and with a double dose (1.5 cm3) remained active for 6 and 8 wk, respectively. The increase in TML dose from 0.75 cm3 to 1.5 cm3 led to an increase in the longevity of the cotton dispenser, but there was no significant difference between the doses in biological activity. In all trials, TML-polyethylene matrix dispensers were more efficient under field conditions as they attracted more males for up to 12 wk and prolonged the release of TML more than the cotton wick dispensers. The TML-loaded polyethylene matrix dispensers might be useful in 1) minimizing the losses of the liquid TML from cotton wicks, 2) avoiding the damage that occurs when using other dispensers, 3) prolonging the TML lifetime in the field through regulating its release rates, 4) potentially minimizing the adverse effect of high temperatures on release rate, and, finally, 5) minimizing the costs of using large amounts of expensive TML solutions.

A Novel Composite as a Dispenser for Methyl Eugunol to Attract the Peach Fruit Fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) Males under Field Conditions

Peach fruit fly (PFF), Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is considered one of the most economic important insect pest for several kinds of fruit species. Present work seeks to explore for the preparation of a novel composite based on petroleum coke with polyethylene, oleic acid and natural rubber as a dispenser for methyl eugunol. This target aims to get efficient dispenser composite to attract PFF males under field conditions in comparison with standard liquid lure dispenser (cotton wick). In addition to favorably regulate the release rate of methyl eugenol (ME) to extend its effectiveness and stability for PFF attraction in comparison with standard lure dispenser (cotton wick) by using Jackson traps under field conditions. The obtained results showed that Composite prolonged the length of effective field ME duration to 18 weeks or longer; while, the length of effective field duration of cotton wick dispenser was 8 weeks only. The ability of cotton wick dispenser to attract PFF males was higher than that of Composite during the first six weeks (with no significant differences between the two dispensers in some of these weeks). On contrary, from the 7th week till the end of the experiments, Composite dispenser showed significantly higher ability to attract PFF males. Efficacy from Composite dispenser did not significantly affected by the time passed after hanging traps; while, ME released from cotton wick dispenser decreased significantly by the time passed. On another hand, the efficacy of Composite dispenser did not significantly affected by air temperature degrees; while, the efficacy of cotton wick dispenser was significantly affected by air temperature degrees. Therefore, it could be concluded that the prepared composite may efficiently replace the cotton wick and could be applied at large scale in integrated pest management programs for PFF.

Field Evaluation of Various Dispensers for Methyl Eugenol in India, an Attractant of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract The attractiveness and longevity of methyl eugenol dispensers to oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) was tested in a peach orchard in Kashmir, India. Methyl eugenol (ME) applied on plywood block captured male flies efficiently up to 10 weeks. Although the mean number of males captured during the 1st week in traps with plywood dispensers was comparatively less than straw-board, cotton wick, acacia, sponge and rubber block dispensers, captures increased during the next 5 weeks and thereafter decreased. However trap captures decreased after the 2nd week for the rest of the dispensers. Our results suggest that the plywood block is the most attractive and long lived methyl eugenol dispenser for capturing B. dorsalis and has potential for monitoring and control activities in India.

Inexpensive Trap for Monitoring the Green June Beetle

Green June beetle, Cotinis nitida (L.), is an important pest of grapes, peaches, blackberries, blueberries, apples, and pears. Currently, there is no inexpensive, commercially available lure or trap that could serve monitoring green June beetle adults. The objective of this study was to develop and optimize an inexpensive bottle trap baited with isopropanol to attract and capture green June beetle adults. Bottle traps baited with 8 mm diameter cotton wicked dispensers emitted from 9 to 43 ml isopropanol in 48 h and maintained that alcohol at a fairly constant concentration compared with the prototypical bottle trap with large surface evaporation of isopropanol poured into the bottom of the trap. Over 5 d, the isopropanol in the wicked dispensers remained at the same stable concentration of 45-44.5%, whereas isopropanol concentration in the bottom of prototypical traps dropped from 45% to approximately 11% after 24 h and to 0.2% by 48 h. Bottle traps with isopropanol dispensers and cotton wicks of 4, 6, or 8 mm in diameter caught significantly more green June beetles than did prototypical bottle traps with no dispensers. Isopropanol concentrations of 45.5, 66, and 91% attracted more green June beetle adults than the lower concentrations. Significantly more green June beetle adults were attracted to traps with dispensers set at 1.3 m height than those at lower heights, and traps topped with a blue, orange, or white band captured more green June beetle adults than those with bands of other colors. The optimized bottle trap is made from recycled transparent polyethylene terephthalate beverage bottle (710-ml; 24 oz.) with a blue, orange, or white band, baited with an 8 mm cotton wick dispenser of 45.5% isopropanol and hung at a height of 1.3 m. Cost and uses for this trap are discussed.

Tert-Pentyl 4 (and 5)-chloro-trans-2-methylcyclohexanecarboxylate, a Highly Effective and Persistent Male Specific Attractant for the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)2

The attraction of male Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) to tert-pentyl 4(and 5)-chloro-trans-2-methylcyclohexanecarboxylate (or pentamedlure) was compared to its attraction to trimedlure to establish the suitability of pentamedlure as a possible alternate for trimedlure in applications that use a cotton dental-roll wick dispenser. Results from field tests with released sterile C. capitata showed that pentamedlure, applied to cotton dental roll wicks, was not only comparable to trimedlure in attractiveness but was more persistent. Batch to batch variations in isomer distribution of pentamedlure appeared to have little effect on attraction. Dose-response data showed that pentamedlure, applied at 0.02 and 0.16 ml/wick, initially caught more flies than trimedlure at comparable doses. Moreover, initial catches for pentamedlure for most dosages tested exceeded, but not significantly, initial catches for trimedlure despite a much higher load (2 ml/wick). Trimedlure initial catches within a natural population of wild C. capitata were significantly higher than pentamedlure catches at a comparable dosage (0.2 ml lure/wick). However, pentamedlure-treated wicks were 2 to 3 times more persistent than wicks treated with trimedlure.

Attracting adult New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, to odour‐baited targets in the field

A field study in Libya investigated aspects of Cochliomyia hominivorax behaviour relevant to the operation of a target-based control system. Flies were readily caught by electrified targets, but only when baited with the attractant 'swormlure-4'. Target size (0.25-1 m2) did not affect catch, but black targets caught twice as many flies as red ones. Omitting the most volatile component of swormlure-4, dimethyl disulphide, significantly reduced catches of both sexes of C.hominivorax in wind-orientated traps, but only reduced the capture of females significantly on targets. A new polythene sachet dispenser for odours was tested; four to six such sachets filled with swormlure-4 less dimethyl disulphide gave an equivalent catch to one of the standard bottle plus wick dispensers using the same attractant, although they dispensed odour at about half the rate. From direct observations, fewer than 40% of flies contacted the target for more than 10 s on any one visit. From catches on an intermittently-active electrocuting grid, it was calculated that there is a c. 40% rate of multiple contacts of flies with the target.

Design, Effectiveness, and Performance Criteria of Dispenser Formulations of Trimedlure, an Attractant of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Controlled-release dispensers of trimedlure (TML), a synthetic attractant of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), were evaluated in seven aging tests in natural and released populations. Insect captures and laboratory-measured release rates and residual contents showed that the cotton wick dispensers, which were formerly used for 2 g liquid TML (density = 1.0 g/ml), were generally ineffective after 2-4 wk of field exposure; a 4-g dose of TML increased the longevity, but not the initial biological activity of the cotton wick. Two controlled-release formulations, a polymeric plug (70% by weight TML) and a plastic laminate, extended the effective lifetime of 2 g TML to about 8 wk. A polymeric plug with 4 g TML further extended the duration of effectiveness to 12 wk or longer. Laboratory and field data suggested definitive values for relative insect capture, release rate, and residual trimedlure content, which have been used as performance criteria in the purchase of trimedlure dispensers.

Attraction of Male Prionoxystus robiniae (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) to (Z, E)-3,5-Tetradecadienyl Acetate with Different Dispensers and Trap Designs1

Traps with wick dispensers treated with ( Z, E )-3,5-tetradecadienyl acetate initially caught significantly more adult male carpenterworms, Prionoxystus robiniae (Peck), than traps with septum dispensers. However, septum dispensers attracted males for at least 1.5-fold longer than did wick dispensers, or for the duration of the carpenterworm flight. With small moth populations, mean catches in traps with septa and wicks usually did not vary significantly. With large moth populations, however, septa baited with 350, 500, and 1,000 μg of attractant were more effective than wicks with comparable charges. Catches of male P. robiniae in paper-cylinder, metal-cylinder, or diamond-carton traps were similar. Paper-cylinder traps have the advantage of being inexpensive, easy to construct, convenient to store, and less sticky to handle.

COMPARISON BETWEEN TRIMEDLURE AND CAPILURE®–ATTRACTANTS FOR MALE CERATITIS CAPITATA (WIEDEMANN) (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)

AbstractCapilure®, a product containing trimedlure mixed with extenders, was found to be as effective as trimedlure alone in capturing male Mediterranean fruit flies. Capilure®, used at a rate of 3 mL per Steiner trap on cotton wick dispensers, attracted male flies for 36 weeks in a citrus orchard in Perth, Western Australia, compared with 11 weeks for the same amount of pure trimedlure. Capilure® which had been exposed in traps for 36 weeks was as effective as fresh Capilure®.

Effect of Additives on the Evaporation of the Most Active Isomer of Trimedlure, the Attractant for Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)1

Trimedlure (TML) is a synthetic attractant for the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). This work describes the biological activity of and the evaporation of TML from cotton wick dispensers treated with the most active of the eight isomers, TML-C, both alone and mixed with additives to facilitate delivery of this solid isomer. Field bioas say and chemical analyses were used to measure effectiveness of dispensers that had been aged as long as 10 weeks. Pure TML-C deposited as tiny crystals from an acetone solution was a highly effective and long-lasting attractant. All five additives evaluated caused an increase in the evaporation rate of TML-C but, in general, did not significantly enhance the number of flies trapped. Tetra ethylene glycol dim ethyl ether (Tet EG-DM), the least volatile of additives, yielded the smallest increase in evaporation rate of TML-G Insect catches were not significantly different in relation to TML-C evaporation rates, varying from 6 to 20 mg per day (warm weather field test) or from 3 to 10 mg per day (cool weather field test). In a laboratory test using TML enhanced in isomer C (TML- 61% C), a 5°C increase in temperature (43 versus 48°C) raised evaporation rates 1.3- to 1.7- fold. The standard TML bait currently used for C. capitata detection was significantly less effective as an attractant after 2–4 weeks of aging than was TML-C alone or with additives.

Acocus centerensis (Linter) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae): Response to Attractant Dispenser and Trap Height, and Determination of Seasonal Flight1

Conrel hollow polymeric fibers with emission rates of 9 μg and 36 μg of (E,E)-3,5-tetradecadienyl acetate (EE-TDDA) per day attracted significantly more male A. centerensis (Lintner) than did rubber septum or cotton wick dispensers baited with 500 μg of EE-TDDA. Although the number of males attracted increased with the emission rate, Conrel dispensers emitting 54 μg EE-TDDA/day were not significantly more effective than those with an emission rate of 9 μg/day. Catch increased linearly with trap height. The flight of A. centerensis, which lasted 60 to 80 days, peaked twice.

Evaluation of Dispensers Containing Trimedlure, the Attractant for the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)1

The objective of this study was to evaluate a cotton wick dispenser in comparison with controlled-release dispensers of Trimedlure (TML) (a blend of tert -butyl esters of 4- and 5-chloro-2-methylcyclohexanecarboxylic acids), which are designed to extend the time of biological effectiveness. Measurements of residual TML contents of dispensers aged in traps for known time periods showed that cotton wicks released TML at a considerably faster rate when pure TML was used than when a mixture of TML in high-boiling extenders (called Capilure®) was applied to the wicks. The polymeric membranes of plastic laminate dispensers and Biolure cups were found to slow the release of TML. As a result of this reduced amount of volatilized TML, the controlled-release dispensers of TML attracted fewer insects than did the TML/cotton wicks for the first 1 to 2 weeks of the test. However, a laminate dispenser was found to attract for a longer period of time. The release rates were temperature dependent. Biolure cups and rubber septa were unsatisfactory as TML dispensers. Commercial TML is principally (90–97%) a mixture of the four trans- isomers which vary in volatility and biological activity. Although the evaporation rates of the four isomers are not identical, major changes in isomer composition did not occur during the evaporation of TML from the laminates. Some preferential release of the more volatile isomers was shown to occur on the cotton wicks, but only after most of TML had evaporated.

Effectiveness of Hollow Fibers as Dispensers of Synthetic Sex Attractant for Male Carpenterworms (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)

Traps baited with Conrel hollow-fiber dispensers charged with ( Z, E )-3,5-tetradecadienyl acetate caught male Prionoxystus robiniae (LepIdoptera: Cossldae). Traps baited with 20-mil fiber dispensers, although they caught equivalent numbers of males as traps baited with cotton wick dispensers, were more effective for longer periods of time. Traps baited with Conrel fibers charged separately with the ZE - and EE - isomers of 3, 5- tetradecadienyl acetate, and released in concert, caught significantly more males than traps baited with fiber dispensers emitting the Z, E - isomer alone. The addition of the antioxidants BHA/BHT to the attractant did not significantly increase trap catches.

Controlled Release of Trimedlure from a Three-Layer Laminated Plastic Dispenser1

A 3-layer laminated plastic dispenser containing trimedlure (used in plastic traps) performed as well as or better than the standard, a cotton wick dispenser containing trimedlure, and it remained effective for 12 wk. A laminated plastic dispenser containing both trimedlure and naled performed less well than a cotton dispenser and a laminated plastic dispenser containing only trimedlure.

Influences of Pheromone Dispenser and Trap Placement on Trapping Carpenterworm 1 Moths in North Dakota and Mississippi

Carpenterworm ( Prionoxystus robiniae Peck) attractant dispensers, trap height, and trap color were evaluated for attractiveness to the male carpenterworm in Mississippi (MS) and North Dakota (ND). The effect of understory density on trap site was also checked. In the humid MS hardwood forest, a standard cotton wick dispenser baited with synthetic sex attractant (Z,E) -3,5 tetradecadien-1-ol acetate was more effective in attracting males than a sheath type dispenser, but in the drier ND environment, it was less effective than a sheath dispenser or any of four other dispensers. Trap catches in MS generally increased with trap height, but in ND, most moths were caught between the tree canopy and the undergrowth. In MS, the capture rate in 1.5 m high traps was not influenced by light or medium understory densities, but heavy understory reduced trap catches. Trap color had no effect on the rate of moths captured.

Dispensers for Baiting Traps Equipped with Blacklight Lamps with Synthetic Sex Pheromone of the Female Cabbage Looper12

When methods of dispensing the synthetic sex pheromone of female cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) in traps equipped with blacklight lamp were tested, mixtures of sand and pheromone in glass jars and cloth bags, and squares of carpet impregnated with the pheromone effectively increased the catches of male cabbage looper moths. However, their periods of peak attractancy were short. A wick dispenser equipped with a dust shield was as effective as other methods and remained highly attractive for longer periods.