Phytoparasitica (1997) 25, 355-356
Ezra Dunkelblum and Moshe Kehat (1997)
The use of sex pheromones in IPM programs
Phytoparasitica 25 (4), 355-356
Japan-Israel Workshop on Novel Approaches for Controlling Insect Pests and Plant Diseases, July 12-17, 1997, Kibbutz Ma'ale haHamisha, Israel
Abstract: Sex pheromones are natural nontoxic compounds usually produced by virgin female insects to attract conspecific males. Pheromones of many key pests have been identified and synthesized during the last 20 years, enabling their use in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Here we focus on the use of sex pheromones of Lepidopteran pests in Israel. In practice, pheromones are used for two main purposes: monitoring of insect pests, and their control, which are both important components of IPM. The successful application of pheromones for monitoring and control of major pests 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 (Helicoverpa 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. The systems are based on Israeli-made rubber septa and on IPS (UK) dry funnel traps.
Mating disruption: Control of moth pests can be achieved by pheromone-mediated mating disruption. The main problem with this method was the necessity to develop long-lasting, efficient pheromone formulations. At present, several formulations are available, some 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 A. lineatella and L. botrana in orchards and vineyards and against the cotton bollworm and the spiny bollworm in cotton fields. The performance of the various formulations is evaluated in the field by comparing trap catch, mating tables, and infestation and damage in pheromone-treated plots vs control plots. We have used Shin-Etsu ropes (Japan), BASF ampoules (Germany), AgriSense rings (UK) and Consep patches (USA) in recent years. Our results indicate that the success of mating disruption depends on the quality and longevity of the formulation, on its proper application, and on the population densities of the pests. Initial high population densities of pests must be reduced by early insecticide sprays before pheromones can be applied satisfactorily.
(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 |
