Phytoparasitica (1996) 24, 264-265
E. Dunkelblum and M. Kehat (1996)
Pheromones as an important component of IPM
Phytoparasitica 24 (3), 264-265
The 2nd International Agro-Ecology Symposium on Integrated Pest Management: From the Drawing Board to the Market, May 15, 1996, Tel Aviv, Israel
Abstract: Sex pheromones are natural nontoxic compounds usually produced by female insects to attract conspecific males. Pheromones of most key insect pests have been identified and synthesized during the last 20 years, enabling their use in IPM programs. In practice, pheromones are used for two main purposes: (i) monitoring of insect pests by trap catch of male moths and (ii) control of pests. Both aspects are important components of IPM, although problems have been encountered occasionally. The successful application of pheromones for monitoring and for direct control of major pests, in particular, will reduce significantly the use of harmful insecticides. Monitoring: We have optimized the parameters of male attraction for several cotton and orchard pests. The most important pests which are monitored with pheromone traps in Israel are the spiny bollworm (Earias insulana), the cotton bollworm (Heliothis armigera), the pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) and the cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis) in cotton fields, and the peach twig borer (Anarsia lineatella), the honeydew moth (Cryptoblabes gnidiella), the codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and the European vine moth (Lobesia botrana) in orchards and vineyards. Israelimade rubber septa have been introduced and optimal doses of pheromones have been determined for most key pests. These lures are at least equivalent to and in some cases better than the commercial lures (due to higher trap catch and prolonged longevity). Dry funnel traps are being used instead of the sticky traps which are messy, are not suitable in the dusty Israeli environment, and become quickly saturated with captured moths. Mating disruption: Control of moth pests can be achieved by pheromone-mediated mating disruption. The main problem with this method was the development of long-lasting, efficient pheromone formulations. At present, several formulations are available, some of which are commercial and others at an experimental stage. In Israel, pheromones are applied commercially to control the pink bollworm in cotton fields and the codling moth in apple and pear orchards. Experimental mating disruption tests are carried out against the peach twig borer and European vine moth in orchards and vineyards and against the cotton bollworm and the spiny bollworm in cotton fields. Some of these tests are at an advanced stage and others are at an early one. The performance of the various formulations is evaluated in the field by comparing trap catch, infestation and damage in pheromone-treated plots with the same parameters in control plots. Mating tables are also used to evaluate the efficacy of new pheromone formulations for mating disruption. We have used in recent years mainly Shin-Etsu ropes and BASF ampoules. Our results indicate that the success of mating disruption depends on the quality and longevity of the formulation, on proper application and evaluation, and not too high population densities of pests at the start of work. Initial high population densities of pests must be reduced by early insecticide sprays before pheromones can be applied satisfactorily. Lately, we have started testing new formulations produced by AgriSense, Concep and Troy Bioscience in order to find the optimal one for each of the important pests.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps
surveys/sampling/distribution
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cydia pomonella | Israel | |||
| Lobesia botrana | Israel | |||
| Anarsia lineatella | Israel | |||
| Helicoverpa armigera | Cotton (Gossypium) | Israel | ||
| Spodoptera littoralis | Cotton (Gossypium) | Israel | ||
| Pectinophora gossypiella | Cotton (Gossypium) | Israel | ||
| Earias insulana | Cotton (Gossypium) | Israel | ||
| Cryptoblabes gnidiella | Israel |
