Semiochemicals: the essence of green pest control (original) (raw)
Related papers
Journal of Economic Entomology, 2009
Five formulations of controlled release, polyethylene tube dispensers of pheromone were evaluated during three Þeld seasons for disruption of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and the oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Evaluations were conducted in replicated 4-ha plots of commercial apple in Michigan. Disruption of both C. pomonella and G. molesta male orientation to pheromone traps in plots treated with a dual-species formulation (Isomate CM/OFM TT), simultaneously releasing the pheromone components of both C. pomonella and G. molesta, was equivalent to that obtained by treating plots with separate formulations for each species (Isomate C Plus or Isomate C TT for C. pomonella and Isomate M Rosso for G. molesta) through mid-season. However, disruption efÞcacy of the dual-species formulation was signiÞcantly lower near the end of the season for G. molesta compared with the Isomate M Rosso formulation because of depletion of active ingredients and coincided with a slight increase in fruit injury. Effective disruption of C. pomonella and G. molesta also was obtained with a multispecies formulation (Isomate CM/OFM/LR) that releases the main pheromone components of C. pomonella, G. molesta, and several leafroller species. Each formulation type releasing (E,E)-8,10dodecadien-1-ol (codlemone) also was found to release the E,Z-and Z,E-isomers of codlemone. Our data provide further evidence that simultaneous disruption of C. pomonella and G. molesta with dispensers releasing both speciesÕ pheromone components is possible; however, the controlled release formulations tested here require modiÞcation or postponed deployment coupled with early season control by other means to achieve season-long efÞcacy. Simultaneous disruption of several species with a single formulation will be economically advantageous in regions where control of multiple pests is needed given the need for hand application of this technology.
The efficacy of microencapsulated sprayable pheromone was evaluated at different application rates and intervals for mating disruption of the oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck), in apple orchards during 2002. The following treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications: (i) a low rate of pheromone (6.2 g a.i. ha −1 ) applied at 14-day intervals, (ii) a medium rate of pheromone (12.4 g a.i. ha −1 ) applied at 28-day intervals, (iii) a high rate of pheromone (24.7 g a.i. ha −1 ) applied at 28-day intervals, and (iv) a non-pheromone control (insecticides only). The combination of a single insecticide application against first generation G. molesta at petal fall with one pheromone application each for the second, third and fourth generations at 12.4-24.7 g a.i. ha −1 successfully controlled low populations. Pheromone-treated blocks had significantly lower trap catches than those in the insecticide-treated control blocks. Among pheromone treatments, significantly more moths were caught in the 6.2 g compared with the 12.4 and 24.7 g rates. Fruit damage was < 1% at harvest and there were no significant differences among treatments. Low rate frequent applications of sprayable formulation appeared to be effective under low pest pressure but efficacy declined with increasing populations. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach under higher pest pressure.
Sex pheromones and their impact on Pest Management
The idea of using species-specific behaviormodifying chemicals for the management of noxious insects in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, stored products, and for insect vectors of diseases has been a driving ambition through five decades of pheromone research. Hundreds of pheromones and other semiochemicals have been discovered that are used to monitor the presence and abundance of insects and to protect plants and animals against insects. The estimated annual production of lures for monitoring and mass trapping is on the order of tens of millions, covering at least 10 million hectares. Insect populations are controlled by air permeation and attractand-kill techniques on at least 1 million hectares. Here, we review the most important and widespread practical applications. Pheromones are increasingly efficient at low population densities, they do not adversely affect natural enemies, and they can, therefore, bring about a long-term reduction in insect populations that cannot be accomplished with conventional insecticides. A changing climate with higher growing season temperatures and altered rainfall patterns makes control of native and invasive insects an increasingly urgent challenge. Intensified insecticide use will not provide a solution, but pheromones and other semiochemicals instead can be implemented for sustainable area-wide management and will thus improve food security for a growing population. Given the scale of the challenges we face to mitigate the impacts of climate change, the time is right to intensify goal-oriented interdisciplinary research on semiochemicals, involving chemists, entomologists, and plant protection experts, in order to provide the urgently needed, and cost-effective technical solutions for sustainable insect management worldwide.
Sprayable Pheromone for Mating Disruption of the Oriental Fruit Moth Grapholita molesta
2015
The efcacy of microencapsulated sprayable pheromone was evaluated at different applica-tion rates and intervals for mating disruption of the oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck), in apple orchards during 2002. The following treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications: (i) a low rate of pheromone (6.2 g a.i. ha1) applied at 14-day intervals, (ii) a medium rate of pheromone (12.4 g a.i. ha1) applied at 28-day intervals, (iii) a high rate of pheromone (24.7 g a.i. ha1) applied at 28- day intervals, and (iv) a non-pheromone control (insecticides only). The combination of a single insecticide application against rst generation G. molesta at petal fall with one pheromone application each for the second, third and fourth generations at 12.424.7 g a.i. ha1 successfully controlled low populations. Pheromone-treated blocks had signicantly lower trap catches than those in the insecticide-treated control blocks. Among pheromone treatments, s...
Environmental Entomology, 2008
The application of a microencapsulated (MEC) sex pheromone formulation (Checkmate CM-F) for codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), in low volume, concentrated sprays was evaluated in a series of small plot and grower trials in apple, Malus domestica Borkhausen, and pear, Pyrus communis L. Preliminary tests found that MEC sprays applied at 172Ð207 kilopascals in 12Ð23 liters/ha deposited the highest density of microcapsules per leaf. The addition of a latex sicker did not increase the deposition of microcapsules. Small plot tests in 2004 compared the effectiveness of two low-volume sprayers against a standard high-volume spray (926 liters/ha) applied at 1,379 kilopascals. Moth catches and fruit injury were signiÞcantly lower in plots treated with the low-volume sprays compared with plots treated with the standard sprayer. These results suggest that concentrating the MEC formulation increases the deposition of microcapsules and improves its effectiveness. Larger trials were conducted with a low-volume sprayer in 4-ha plots within commercial apple (2005Ð2006) and pear orchards (2005) paired with similar plots treated with hand-applied pheromone dispensers. Levels of fruit injury were not signiÞcantly different between pheromone treatments in any of the three tests. Moth catches, however, were signiÞcantly higher in the MEC-versus the dispenser-treated apple plots in 2005. No difference was found in the fruit injury levels in MEC-treated apple orchards in 2005 caused by irrigation method, but moth catches were signiÞcantly higher in overhead versus undertree orchards. The advantages and current limitations of using MEC sex pheromone sprays to supplement current growerÕs management strategies for codling moth is discussed.
Role of semiochemicals in integrated pest management
International journal of entomology research, 2021
Semiochemicals are chemical markers or signals that relay communication is the act of the same or different species (pheromones) (allelochemicals). Kairomones (beneficial to the receiver), synomones (beneficial to both the emitter and the receiver), allomones (beneficial to the emitter), and apneumones (beneficial to the emitter) are examples of allelochemicals (non biological origin). Pheromones for a wide range of insects from different orders have been described, synthesized, formulated, and tested in the field. Several insect species have been monitored for the purposes of population prediction, quarantine screening, and dispersal. For efficient management of insect pests, mass trapping and mating destruction have been used effectively, either alone or in conjunction with insecticides or biocontrol technologies. Indirectly, these approaches limit insecticide use and aid natural enemy survival. Popular Para pheromones used for tracking, mass trapping, and male annihilation include methyl eugenol, cue lure, and Tri Med lure. Plant volatiles are used to mass trap a variety of insects, especially coleopteran pests, either alone or in blends. Besides lepidopteron, coleopteran, and dipteran insects, pheromones have been used for monitoring purposes by insects from other orders, including Homoptera (mealybugs). Natural enemies' success is improved by kairomones and synomones. Insect pest control techniques such as anti-aggregation pheromones and "auto confusion" approaches are relatively new. To make the use of semiochemicals in pest control easier, researchers propose developing low-cost mating disturbance dispensers, semiochemical-based e-noses for tracking, and raising farmer understanding.
Pheromone trapping in controlling key insect pests: progress and prospects
2011
In recent years, pheromone trapping has been employed in many pest management programmes worldwide. Pheromone trapping can assist decision making in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. Considerable improvements have been made in the identification and formulation of blends of pheromones for the management of agricultural insect pests. The progress and prospects of using pheromone for monitoring, mass trapping and mating disruption are discussed, with emphasis on Lepidopteran and Coleopteran pests, as the main pests of oil palm in Malaysia fall within these two insect orders.
Environmental Entomology, 2008
Studies were conducted to examine the deposition of microcapsules and the attractiveness of treated apple leaves, Malus domestica Borkhausen, for codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., after low-volume concentrated sprays [24.7 g (AI) in 12 liters of water/ha] of a microencapsulated (MEC) sex pheromone formulation (CheckMate CM-F). Nearly 30% of leaves collected from sprayed zones within tree canopies had no microcapsules, whereas 20% had Ͼ20 microcapsules. Microcapsule density was correlated with leaf area, and signiÞcant differences in the density of microcapsules per leaf were found because of both height and depth in the canopy relative to the sprayed zone and leaf surface. In general, the highest concentration of microcapsules was deposited on the underside of leaves in the sprayed zone. However, deposition was greater on the upper than the bottom surface of leaves in the canopy below the spray zone and in the tops of trees on the opposite side of the canopy. Field-aged MEC-treated apple leaves elicited upwind ßight and moth contact in ßight tunnel tests for at least 5 wk. Precipitation reduced the attractiveness of leaves, particularly for leaves treated only on their upper versus bottom surface. Traps in unsprayed orchards baited with MEC-treated artiÞcial leaves were attractive for 5 wk. Moth catches in similar traps placed in MEC-sprayed plots were low but increased signiÞcantly over 3Ð 4 wk. These data suggest that, after a brief initial period of sensory disruption, low-volume MEC sprays create point sources of sex pheromone (leaves) within the orchard that may enhance mating disruption through competitive attraction.