Evaluation of extended-life pheromone formulations used with and without dichlorvos for boll weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) trapping

Boll weevil traps baited with a ComboLure (25 of mg grandlure + 30 mg of eugenol + 90 of mg dichlorvos [DDVP]), an extended-release lure (25 mg of grandlure + 30 mg of eugenol + 60 of mg DDVP kill-strip), and extended-release lure with no DDVP were evaluated for boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), captures in South Texas cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., fields during February-March 2005 and March-April 2006. The traps were serviced once a week for five consecutive weeks by using the same methodology as active boll weevil eradication programs. Mean captured boll weevils from extended-release lures with no DDVP were significantly higher in five of 10 trapping weeks compared with captures of the ComboLure and extended lure. Weekly mortality of boll weevils captured was similar for the ComboLure (72.6 +/- 4.7%) and extended lure + DDVP (73.5 +/- 4.0%), and both were significantly higher than the extended lure (32.8 +/- 5.0%) with no DDVP. The presence or absence of DDVP did not significantly affect the sex ratio of field-captured boll weevils. We found no functional reasoning for using DDVP in large scale trapping of boll weevils regardless of the formulation or presentation in the trap. We conducted two additional trapping evaluations after the 2005 and 2006 studies, but the numbers of boll weevils captured were too low for statistical comparisons, indicating that boll weevil eradication is reducing populations in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.     

A sex pheromone‐baited trapping system for management of sweetpotato weevil,Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae)

A potent male attractant of sweetpotato weevil helps in monitoring and control of sweetpotato weevil in many production areas around the world. At present, it has not been used in Malaysia. Cost of the components of a trapping system is a major constraint in the adoption of male lure‐baited trapping by growers in Malaysia. Seven field trapping experiments were conducted from February 2013 to November 2015 as part of an effort to develop a simple, easy to construct, cost‐effective and efficient sex pheromone‐baited trap acceptable for use by farmers in Malaysia for monitoring and control of sweetpotato weevil (Cylas formicarius Fabricius). Overall, sweetpotato weevil trap catch was significantly affected by the number of windows in the trap, the killing agent used in the trap and the position of the trap relative to sweetpotato foliage, while trap size and trap colour did not significantly affect trap catch. Trap catch was best in plastic pole traps made from polyethylene terephthalate, with four window opening to facilitate weevil entry, with detergent solution as a killing agent and with the trap positioned from 0 to 40 cm above the crop canopy level. In a comparison study with commercial trap designs, sex pheromone‐baited plastic pole traps caught 60%–78% more weevils than were caught in sex pheromone‐baited delta traps, wing traps or unitraps. Optimization of trap characteristics is important for improving the performance of pheromone‐baited traps for use in population monitoring or mass‐trapping efforts to minimize crop damage by sweetpotato weevil infestation.     

Monitoring codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) with a four‐component volatile blend compared to a sex pheromone‐based blend

Monitoring adult codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), is a crucial component in implementing effective integrated management programmes in apple, Malus domestica Borkhausen. Use of sex pheromone lures to track male populations has been the traditional approach, but their use in orchards treated with sex pheromone for mating disruption (MD) has been problematic. Development of kairomone and kairomone–pheromone combination lures has allowed the catch of female moths and has benefited several aspects of codling moth management through improved spray timings and action thresholds. Recently, a new four‐component volatile blend (4‐K) comprised of pear ester, (E,Z)‐2,4‐ethyl decadienoate (PE), (E)‐11 4,8‐dimethyl‐1,3,7‐nonatriene, all isomers of pyranoid linalool oxide and acetic acid (AA) has been characterized that has increased female moth catch threefold versus any previous blend. Field trapping studies were conducted to compare moth catches in traps baited with 4‐K versus the use of sex pheromone, (E,E)‐8,10‐dodecadien‐1‐ol (PH) in combination with PE and AA. Trials were conducted in orchards left either untreated, or treated with PH or PH + PE. Traps baited with 4‐K and 4‐K + PH lures caught significantly more females than traps baited with PH + PE + AA lures. Traps baited with 4‐K + PH lures caught significantly more total moths than traps baited with PH + PE + AA lures in all three orchards. Adding a PH lure to traps with the 4‐K lure did not affect female catch, but significantly increased male and total moth catches. These studies demonstrate that codling moth can be trapped effectively in apple under MD without the use of sex pheromone lures. The significant increase in female codling moth catch with the 4‐K lure suggests that efforts to improve spray timings and action threshold determinations as well as mass trapping might be enhanced with this new lure.     

Captures of boll weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in traps associated with different habitats

Programs to eradicate the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, from cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., in the United States rely heavily on pheromone traps for monitoring weevil populations in both active and posteradication maintenance programs. Modifications to trapping protocols that increase trap effectiveness should contribute to this eradication effort. Between October 1996 and May 1997 and between September 1997 and April 1998, we compared trap effectiveness, indicated by the numbers of captured weevils, in relation to selected habitat types. Each study period was divided into fall, winter, and spring seasons. Traps were closely associated with seven habitat types, including four types with prominent erect vegetation (brush-lined irrigation canal, brush, sugarcane, and resaca or ox-bow lake) and three types with only low-growing or sparse erect vegetation (irrigation drainage canal, unimproved pasture, and fallow fields). Captures of male and female weevils were statistically similar regardless of season or trapping habitat. Although captures differed significantly among habitats, these differences varied among seasons. Trapping habitats with prominent vegetational features generally produced higher weekly captures of weevils than habitats lacking these features. Also, captures in traps associated with prominent vegetation indicated seasonal differences in weevil activity, with highest captures occurring during the fall. Traps associated with habitats lacking prominent vegetation did not statistically demonstrate seasonal differences. Our results indicate that immediate trap surroundings strongly influence the effectiveness of the boll weevil pheromone trap. These results also suggest that effectiveness of current trapping programs may be improved through purposeful association of traps with selected vegetational features.     

Trapping of Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) from Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies with an in-hive baited trap

The effectiveness of two lures for trapping the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, by means of in-hive traps was tested by field trials in apiaries located in Florida, Delaware, and Pennsylvania during 2003-2005. Both lures included a mixture (pollen dough) consisting of bee pollen and commercial pollen substitute formulated with or without glycerol and honey. Before it was used in the traps, the dough was conditioned either by the feeding of adult small hive beetles or by inoculation with the yeast Kodamaea ohmeri (NRRL Y-30722). Traps baited with conditioned dough captured significantly more beetles than unbaited traps, and traps positioned under the bottom board of a hive captured significantly more beetles than traps located at the top of a hive. In fact, baited in-hive bottom board traps nearly eliminated the beetles from colonies at a pollination site in Florida. However, when these honey bee colonies were moved to an apiary, trap catch increased markedly over time, indicating a resurgence of the beetle population produced by immigration of beetles from nearby hives or emerging from the soil. In tests at three Florida apiaries during 2006, yeast-inoculated dough baited bottom board traps captured significantly more beetles than unbaited traps, showing the effectiveness of yeast-inoculated dough as a lure and its potential as a tool in managing the small hive beetle.     

Attractiveness to Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae) of plant essential oils and a synthetic food-odour lure

Abstract:  Experiments were conducted in a citrus orchard to investigate the attractiveness of 26 plant essential oils individually and in combination with a synthetic food odour lure to the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens Loew. Anise, rose/grape seed, and tea tree oils were more attractive than unbaited traps but none approached the attractiveness of Advanced Pheromone Technologies' AFF lure, a synthetic food-odour lure that emits several nitrogenous chemicals attractive to this fly. Traps baited with most of the oils were less attractive than unbaited traps. Rose/grape seed oil and pure-rose oil enhanced attractiveness of AFF lures to both males and females by about 68%. Grape seed oil did not enhance the attractiveness of AFF lures demonstrating that rose oil was the active component of the rose/grape seed oil. No other oil enhanced attractiveness of AFF lures and most decreased attraction to AFF lures. The possibility that highly attractive chemicals may be present in rose oil as minor components is discussed. Traps baited with the combination of clove bud oil and the AFF lure captured only 3% as many flies as traps baited only with the AFF lure indicating that clove bud oil is highly repellent to Mexican fruit flies.     

Grandlure dosage and attraction of boll weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The effects of grandlure dosage on of boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), attraction were assessed. Traps collected more boll weevils under field and laboratory conditions as the amount of grandlure in laminated plastic strips was increased from 0 to 10, 30, and 60 mg. Spreading the point source of the lure by cutting the strip into quarters and positioning each quarter on separate corners of the large capacity trap to create an expanded source for the pheromone plume, however, resulted in fewer trap captures than traps with quartered lures all positioned on a single corner. The large capacity trap with the quartered lure on one corner also caught more weevils than the traps with an intact lure fastened to one corner. Although aging lure strips for three weeks reduced emissions of the four pheromone components and their attractiveness to boll weevils, cutting the aged lure into quarters resulted in greater emissions and attraction than lures that were aged intact or as quarters. Some pheromone components volatilized faster than others, resulting in time-related changes in blend ratios, but the underlying factor in boll weevil attraction to grandlure strips was dosage, the amount of volatilized pheromone available for interacting with an adult boll weevil.     

Evaluation of synthetic food-based attractants for female Mediterranean fruit flies (Dipt., Tephritidae) in McPhail type traps

During summer 1997 field experiments were conducted on the island of Chios, Greece, to compare captures of female Mediterranean fruit flies (medflies), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), in traps baited with either synthetic female-targeted lures or a standard protein bait (NuLure and borax). The synthetic lures contained ammonium acetate,1,4 diaminobutane (putrescine), and trimethylamine. Two trap types (International Pheromone's McPhail Trap (IPMT) and the Tephri trap) were tested as either wet or dry. Wet IPMT traps baited with the synthetic attractants were the most attractive of all trap combinations tested and captured 2.1 times more female medflies and 1.8 times more total medflies than traps baited with NuLure and borax. Traps containing the synthetic attractant captured approximately 4.6 times fewer nontarget insects than NuLure baited traps. Vapona used in IPMT traps was repellent to medflies and dry traps with lower concentrations of Vapona were approximately 1.5 times less attractive to female medflies than traps containing water. Even with a decrease in attractiveness, the dry traps were significantly more effective for females and more practical for mass trapping and monitoring than the currently used traps baited with protein solutions.     

Comparisons of standard and extended-life boll weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) pheromone lures

The Southeastern Boll Weevil Eradication Program has proposed reducing maintenance program costs in eradicated zones by using an extended-life "superlure" in traps to detect populations of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman. However, superlure effectiveness has not been extensively evaluated. We compared the superlure (30 mg of eugenol plus 25 mg of grandlure) to a standard lure (10 mg of grandlure) based on captures of weevils and changes in lure pheromone content. Lure treatments (standard and superlure, replaced biweekly or not replaced) were compared in 4-mo-long trapping periods. Captures of weevils did not generally reflect differences among lure treatments indicated by assays of lure contents. During the first 2 wk of exposure, amounts of pheromone released by the superlure were generally comparable with those of the standard lure, but pheromone composition was more stable. During the second 2 wk of exposure, the superlure usually released more pheromone than similarly aged standard lures, but less than half as much as the standard lure replaced biweekly. Based on numbers of captured weevils during the last 2 wk of an extended trapping period, the superlure performed similarly to the standard lure replaced biweekly. However, corresponding pheromone releases by the superlure were less than those by the standard lure replaced biweekly. This inconsistency suggests that numbers of captured weevils alone may be inadequate for evaluation of pheromone formulations. Our results suggest that better understanding of the consequences of reduced pheromone release during an extended trapping period is needed before adoption of the superlure can be recommended.     

Attractant for the sugar-beet weevil Conorrhynchus (Cleonus) mendicus (Col.: Curculionidae)

Abstract:  Traps baited with a 1 : 1 : 1 mixture of Grandlure I [ cis -1-methyl-2-(1-methylenethenyl)-cyclobutaneethanol], Grandlure II [( Z )-2-ochtoden-1-ol; ( Z )-2-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)ethanol] and Grandlure III–IV [( Z )- and ( E )-2-ochtodenal; ( Z )- and ( E )-(3,3-dimethyl)cyclohexylidene)acetaldehyde] caught significantly more Conorrhynchus (Cleonus) mendicus Germar (Col.: Curculionidae) weevils than traps without bait. Later tests revealed that only Grandlure III–IV was responsible for attractivity. Both sexes were attracted according to a random sample of captures. C. mendicus appeared to be very similar in its responses to the synthetic aggregation attractant as the closely related Bothynoderes (Cleonus) punctiventris (Germar), in which species, the attraction to Grandluree III–IV has recently been published. Doses from 500 to 5000  μ g of Grandlure III–IV on rubber dispensers performed satisfactorily in monitoring trials and can be recommended for use in practical trapping applications for C. mendicus .     

Influence of trap color and host volatiles on capture of the emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Field trapping assays were conducted in 2009 and 2010 throughout western Michigan, to evaluate lures for adult emerald ash borer, A. planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Several ash tree volatiles were tested on purple prism traps in 2009, and a dark green prism trap in 2010. In 2009, six bark oil distillate lure treatments were tested against manuka oil lures (used in 2008 by USDA APHIS PPQ emerald ash borer cooperative program). Purple traps baited with 80/20 (manuka/phoebe oil) significantly increased beetle catch compared with traps baited with manuka oil alone. In 2010 we monitored emerald ash borer attraction to dark green traps baited with six lure combinations of 80/20 (manuka/phoebe), manuka oil, and (3Z)-hexenol. Traps baited with manuka oil and (3Z)-hexenol caught significantly more male and total count insects than traps baited with manuka oil alone. Traps baited with manuka oil and (3Z)-hexenol did not catch more beetles when compared with traps baited with (3Z)-hexenol alone. When compared with unbaited green traps our results show that (3Z)-hexenol improved male catch significantly in only one of three field experiments using dark green traps. Dark green traps caught a high number of A. planipennis when unbaited while (3Z)-hexenol was seen to have a minimal (nonsignificant) trap catch effect at several different release rates. We hypothesize that the previously reported kairomonal attractancy of (3Z)-hexenol (for males) on light green traps is not as obvious here because of improved male attractancy to the darker green trap.     

Response of plum curculio (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to odor-baited traps near woods.

Response of overwintered plum curculios, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst), to odor-baited traps was evaluated from the beginning until nearly the end of emigration from overwintering sites in woods. We evaluated clear sticky Plexiglas panels and black pyramid traps placed close to woods adjacent to apple trees in an unsprayed section of an orchard. Traps were baited with aggregation pheromone (grandisoic acid) alone or in combination with one of six synthetic fruit volatiles (benzaldehvde, decyl aldehyde, E-2-hexenal, ethyl isovalerate, hexyl acetate, or limonene). Unbaited traps served as a control treatment. Plum curculio emigration from woods was divided into early-, mid-, and late-season periods based primarily on phenological stage of apple bud and fruit development (tight cluster to bloom, petal fall, and fruit set, respectively). During both early- and late season, panel and pyramid traps baited with benzaldehyde plus pheromone were significantly more attractive than any other traps (baited or unbaited), except panel traps baited with ethyl isovalerate plus pheromone in early season, which likewise captured significantly more adults than unbaited panel traps. During midseason, no lures were significantly attractive, possibly due to prevailing cool weather, unfavorable for adult activity. Over the entire season, panel or pyramid traps baited with benzaldehyde plus pheromone captured nearly six times as many plum curculios as unbaited traps of each type, whereas traps baited with pheromone alone captured about twice as many as unbaited traps of each type. We provide information on sex ratio, female maturity stage, and mating status, and several weather parameters associated with trap captures. We conclude that panel or pyramid traps, or a combination, baited with benzaldehyde plus pheromone placed at borders of plum curculio overwintering sites can be a valuable tool for monitoring the beginning, peak, and end of adult immigration into apple orchards.     

Pheromone trapping of the sugarcane weevil borer, Rhabdoscelus obscurus (Boisduval) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): an evaluation of trap design and placement in the field

Abstract  The sugarcane weevil borer ( Rhabdoscelus obscurus ) is a pest of sugarcane and palm plantations in high rainfall areas of far north Queensland. Pheromone mass trapping of adult borers is an effective method of monitoring and may also impact on their population densities. Trials to evaluate different designs of pheromone trap showed the 'water trap' to be the most effective in capturing the highest number of adult borers. The water trap is a 20 cm-diameter pot with a plastic bag inserted to hold water with pheromone lures and cane pieces held together in a plastic container suspended over the water from a square of wire mesh. Results also showed that adult borers in adjacent fields are able to sense the lures and migrate into treated fields. The sex ratio of captured borers in split-cane traps (which is a standard population monitoring tool) was male biased from February to April but was more balanced later in the year. However, the pheromone traps mainly attracted female borers all year round, except during May. Thus, we recommend pheromone traps to be deployed early in the season (November to early December) to attract the maximum number of adult females at a critical time for the population as it starts to build up. In addition, placing pheromone traps inside cane paddocks did not improve the total catch in most cases. Therefore, placing pheromone traps under the shade of trees outside the paddock or at the edge of the paddock under sugarcane can be a feasible mass trapping method that can easily be implemented by cane growers.     

Sex pheromone of a North American population of the spotted tentiform leafminer, Phyllonorycter blancardella

The major sex pheromone compound of the spotted tentiform leafminer, Phyllonorycter blancardella (F.) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), from Ontario, Canada, was identified as (10E)‐dodecen‐1‐yl acetate (E10‐12:Ac) using chemical analysis and field trapping experiments. The minor compounds (10E)‐dodecen‐1‐ol (E10‐12:OH) (4.6%), dodecan‐1‐ol (12:OH) (2.3%), and (10Z)‐dodecen‐1‐yl acetate (Z10‐12:Ac) 1.6% were also identified. The dienic acetate (4E,10E)‐dodecadien‐1‐yl acetate (E4,E10‐12:Ac), a compound reported to be attractive to P. blancardella, was not found in the glands of this population. A two‐component blend of the major and one of each the three minor compounds, in ratios similar to those found in the sex pheromone gland, did not increase the attractiveness of traps baited with synthetic pheromone. The minor compounds E10‐12:OH and 12:OH were not attractive to P. blancardella when tested individually. Z10‐12:Ac was attractive to P. blancardella, although traps baited with this compound captured only 2% of the moths that were captured in traps baited with the main compound. A four‐component blend of the major and each of the three minor compounds (100 : 1 : 1 : 1) was not more attractive than the major compound alone. The related species Phyllonorycter mespilella was captured in traps baited with E10‐12:Ac.     

Traps baited with pear ester and acetic acid attract both sexes of Hedya nubiferana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

This study was initiated with the objective of studying field responses of the green budworm moth, Hedya nubiferana (Haworth) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), to pear ester [PE; ethyl (E,Z)‐2,4‐decadienoate] and acetic acid (AA) with the aim of developing a lure attractive also for females. In the overwhelming majority of tests, traps baited with the PEAA lure (the combination of both PE and AA) caught more than traps baited with either of the constituents presented alone. PEAA lures were attractive to H. nubiferana no matter whether the two compounds were provided in separate dispensers or mixed together in a single one, and a large percentage (up to 71%) of trap catch consisted of females. Traps with PEAA lures caught (females plus males) on an average 30% of the catches in traps baited with the synthetic green budworm moth sex pheromone (only males). This suggested that the new PEAA lure had a trapping performance comparable with that of pheromone traps, which latter are used by farmers today. Consequently, the PEAA lure showed potential for future practical applications as a female‐targeted lure for H. nubiferana. To our knowledge, this is the first well‐documented report on the attraction of PEAA lure for a tortricid species other than codling moth.     

An aggregation attractant for the sugar-beet weevil, Bothynoderes punctiventris

During our screening studies, attractiveness of a ternary mixture of synthetic Grandlure I [racemic cis‐1‐methyl‐2‐(1‐methylenethenyl)‐cyclobutane ethanol], Grandlure II [(Z)‐2‐(3,3‐dimethyl)cyclohexylidene ethanol], and Grandlure III–IV [(Z)‐ and (E)‐2‐ochtodenal; (Z)‐ and (E)‐(3,3‐dimethyl)cyclohexylidene acetaldehyde] for the sugar‐beet weevil, Bothynoderes punctiventris Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was observed in field‐trapping tests at several sites in Hungary and Serbia. The mixture attracted both males and females. Later tests revealed that of the components in the ternary mixture, only Grandlure III–IV were responsible for attraction, and the addition of Grandlures I or II in varying percentages had no influence on trap captures. Traps baited with 50–50 000 µg of Grandlure III–IV on rubber or polyethylene dispensers yielded high catches of weevils. When testing synthetic samples enriched in the respective geometrical isomer, Grandlure IV had a tendency of catching more weevils, but differences were not significant from lower catches by a 1:1 Z:E blend or Grandlure III. In gas chromatography–flame ionization detection/electroantennographic detection studies, antennae of both female and male weevils were more responsive to the (E)‐ than to the (Z)‐isomer suggesting a more important role for Grandlure IV. Efforts to verify the presence of Grandlure III or IV in volatiles collected from either sex of live sugar‐beet weevils or body washings with pentane remained inconclusive. Traps baited with Grandlure III–IV can now be used as sensitive and powerful trapping tools in the control of the sugar‐beet weevil.     

Influence of visual and olfactory cues on field trapping of the pollen beetle, Astylus atromaculatus (Col.: Melyridae)

Field trapping experiments investigated the response of the pollen beetle Astylus atromaculatus to visual and olfactory cues during a 3-year period, 1999–2001. The visual preference of the pollen beetle was determined using yellow, white, blue, green and red water traps. The yellow trap was most attractive, capturing 56% of the total beetles trapped, with 30% caught by the blue and white traps, while 14% was caught by the red and green traps. The response of the beetle to olfactory cues was then evaluated by using the yellow water trap with three antennally active components identified in the volatiles of sorghum panicles by coupled gas chromatography (GC)–electroantennographic detection and GC–mass spectrometry. These components were 2-phenylethanol, benzyl alcohol and linalool. There were no significant colour × chemical compound interactions and traps baited with 2-phenylethanol captured significantly more beetles than unbaited traps, irrespective of trap colour, demonstrating the effectiveness of olfactory cues in trapping the pollen beetle. Traps baited with 2-phenylethanol were more attractive than and caught more beetles than traps baited with linalool. 2-Phenylethanol had the greatest effect on the relatively unattractive blue trap, confirming the importance of olfactory cues mediating A. atromaculatus attraction .     

Movement of adult pecan weevils Curculio caryae within pecan orchards

1 The pecan weevil Curculio caryae (Horn) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an indigenous pest of pecan Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch, in North America. Understanding the movement of this pest from the orchard floor to host trees could lead to pest management practices that exploit weevil behaviour and thus reduce insecticide application to the entire orchard canopy. Furthermore, no information exists on diel periodicity of pecan weevil movement. 2 Movement of adult pecan weevils crawling and flying to the host trunk, flying to the host canopy, crawling within the host canopy and flying between host trees was studied using four types of passive traps over four seasons. Each type of trap was used to capture weevils at different locations on or near the tree and to discriminate flying versus crawling behaviour. 3 More pecan weevils crawl to the trunk than fly and a proportion of the population flies directly from the orchard floor into the pecan canopy. The majority of this movement occurs at dusk. 4 The vertical distribution of weevils was generally uniform throughout the canopy but more weevils were captured in suspended traps nearest tree tops, rather than traps near the ground, when flying between trees and this was significantly so for two of 4 years. 5 The results of the present study are contrary to previous reports suggesting that most adult pecan weevils fly to the pecan trunk after emergence from the soil; however, our results did indicate that a proportion of the population flies directly from the orchard floor into the pecan canopy and thus would circumvent strategies that attempt to control weevils moving up the trunk.     

Developing female removal for Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in organic pear in the USA and Italy

Seventeen trials were conducted using traps baited with kairomone-based lures to evaluate female removal (FR) as an effective management tactic for codling moth, Cydia pomonella, L., in organic pear, Pyrus communis L., production in Italy and USA during 2019–2020. Studies included paired plots (0.4–1.4 ha) treated with or without 60 traps ha⁻¹ in cultivars Bartlett and Abate Fétel. Paired plots were also treated together with or without mating disruption (MD) and with similar spray programmes. Three-, four-, and five-component lures were used with several trap types: green, clear or green/white bucket traps and orange delta traps. The three-component lure consisted of (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (sex pheromone, PH), (E,Z)-2,4-ethyl decadienoate (pear ester, PE) and acetic acid (AA); the four-component lure was PE, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT), 6-ethenyl-2,2,6-trimethyloxan-3-ol (pyranoid linalool oxide, LOX), and AA, and the five-component lure had PH added. Preliminary studies were also conducted to evaluate the trapping efficacy of non-saturating bucket traps. A clear bucket trap baited with PE/DMNT/LOX + AA captured 97-fold more codling moth females than an orange delta trap baited with PH/PE. However, female captures did not differ between traps when both were baited with the four-component lure. Fruit injury from codling moth was significantly reduced with the implementation of FR in both pear production regions. At harvest, mean fruit protection in the USA studies was 65% and 27% in Italy. This difference was likely associated with the four-component lure being less effective in Italy than in the USA. Nevertheless, results demonstrate that FR can be a useful approach to remove females immigrating into orchards and as a new tactic to reduce pest pressure in selected areas of orchards allowing both MD and organic insecticide programmes to be more effective. Further studies should investigate the cost-benefit of matching the intensity of FR to variable pest pressures.     

Responses of stored-product Anobiidae to pheromone lures and plant-derived volatiles

Experiments were conducted in different locations to investigate responses of adult Stegobium paniceum and Lasioderma serricorne (Col., Anobiidae) to different commercially available or prototype fabrications of their female‐produced sex pheromones. The results showed that the number of S. paniceum captured in traps baited with the commercially available lures was significantly higher than those captured in traps baited with the prototype stegobinone lures. The three commercially available brands of serricornin lures investigated were equally effective in capturing L. serricorne. In a related study, we conducted a 9‐week trapping experiment to determine if responses of L. serricorne to serricornin can be enhanced by the presence of host plant odours. Traps were baited with serricornin alone, serricornin plus dried red chilli (Capsicum frutescens L.) or red chilli alone. The results showed that the number of beetles captured in traps baited with a combination of serricornin and chilli volatiles were significantly higher than in traps baited with pheromone or chilli volatiles alone, indicating that potential exist for improved monitoring or mass trapping of L. serricorne by combining pheromone with plant‐derived volatiles present in Capsicum spp.