Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) floral volatiles causing attraction of Epilachna dodecastigma (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Epilachna dodecastigma (Wied.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) causes economic losses to bitter gourd, Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) production in India and Bangladesh because adults feed on the leaves and flowers resulting death of the plant. This insect is currently controlled by insecticides, which are harmful to human health and environment. We studied the behavioral responses of E. dodecastigma females to floral volatiles and synthetic compounds comparable to floral volatiles in a Y-tube olfactometer to determine their potential for monitoring this pest. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) analyses of M. charantia floral volatiles revealed the presence of 20 compounds. Myrcene was predominant followed by methyl jasmonate and 1-octadecanol in floral volatiles. Epilachna dodecastigma females were attracted to floral volatiles by a Y-tube olfactometer bioassay. Females were attracted to individual synthetic 1-heptanol, sabinene, myrcene and ocimene at 16, 1, 20, and 8 µg/25 mL methylene chloride in a dose response bioassay, respectively, and hence, these compounds might be used for insect pest management strategies such as baited traps.     

Floral attractants for the female soybean looper, Thysanoplusia orichalcea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

BACKGROUND: The soybean looper, Thysanoplusia orichalcea (F.), is a polyphagous insect pest of vegetable crops. Indonesian in origin, it has spread to Europe, India, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The identification of an attractant for female T. orichalcea could enable the development of alternative pest management strategies to those provided by insecticides or sex pheromones, which are often only attractive to males. RESULTS: Traps baited with synthetic lures derived from Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., floral volatiles attracted female T. orichalcea. Phenylacetaldehyde, a floral compound attractive to many Lepidoptera and present in C. arvense, was tested alone as an attractant for the soybean looper and caught significantly more female than male T. orichalcea. Trap catch was greatest when phenylacetaldehyde was combined with five prevalent volatiles present in C. arvense headspace collections: 2‐phenylethyl alcohol, methyl salicylate, dimethyl salicylate, benzaldehyde and benzyl alcohol. Twice as many female moths as males were collected. CONCLUSION: Successful trapping of female T. orichalcea in either a lure‐and‐kill or a mass trapping system may offer an effective way to manage its population size. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Catching Ips duplicatus (Sahlberg) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) with pheromone‐baited traps: optimal trap type,colour, height and distance to infestation

BACKGROUND: Field trapping experiments were carried out to evaluate effective trap characteristics for maximising Ips duplicatus (Sahlberg) catches in pheromone‐baited traps in China. RESULTS: Window‐slot and cross‐barrier traps had significantly higher catches than multiple‐funnel traps. The colour of window‐slot traps showed a significant effect on catches, with dark colours (black and red) being more effective than light colours, especially white and yellow. Window‐slot traps at a 1.5–2.0 m level caught more beetles than those at either ground level (0–0.5 m) or at 3.5–4.0 m. Ips duplicatus can be attracted to pheromone‐baited traps over a distance of > 100 m from the forest edge in an open grassy field. There was a strong diurnal pattern of flight activity, with catches on window‐slot traps occurring during the daytime with one broad peak at mid‐ to late afternoon. The seasonal flight activity of I. duplicatus as monitored by pheromone‐baited window‐slot traps during 2007–2008 indicated that three major flight peaks occurred in early June, late June–early July and late July respectively, suggesting the existence of a potential second generation. CONCLUSION: The optimal trap characteristics will improve the performance of pheromone‐baited traps as a critical monitoring or mass‐trapping tool to combat outbreaks of this pest species. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Attraction and antennal response of the common wasp,Vespula vulgaris (L.), to selected synthetic chemicals in New Zealand beech forests

BACKGROUND: The common wasp, Vespula vulgaris (L.), and the German wasp, Vespula germanica (F.), are significant problems in New Zealand beech forests (Nothofagus spp.), adversely affecting native birds and invertebrate biodiversity. This work was undertaken to develop synthetic attractants for these species to enable more efficient monitoring and management. RESULTS: Seven known wasp attractants (acetic acid, butyl butyrate, isobutanol, heptyl butyrate, octyl butyrate and 2,4‐hexadienyl butyrate) were field tested, and only heptyl butyrate and octyl butyrate attracted significantly higher numbers of wasps than a non‐baited trap. Accordingly, a series of straight‐chain esters from methyl to decyl butyrate were prepared and field tested for attraction of social wasps. Peak biological activity occurred with hexyl butyrate, heptyl butyrate, octyl butyrate and nonyl butyrate. Polyethylene bags emitting approximately 18.4–22.6 mg day^?1 of heptyl butyrate were more attractive than polyethylene bags emitting approximately 14.7–16.8 mg day^?1 of heptyl butyrate in the field. Electroantennogram (EAG) studies indicated that queens and workers of V. vulgaris had olfactory receptor neurons responding to various aliphatic butyrates. CONCLUSION: These results are the first to be reported on the EAG response and the attraction of social wasps to synthetic chemicals in New Zealand beech forests and will enable monitoring of social wasp activity in beech forests. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Systemically released volatiles from Solena amplexicaulis plant leaves with color cues influencing attraction of a generalist insect herbivore

Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi (Cucurbitaceae) is a promising vegetable in Southeast Asia. Infestation of Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) adults on leaves of the crop plant causes death of the plant and reduces crop production. Currently, growers are applying insecticides to control this pest, which are harmful to health and environment. Hence, an attempt has been made to find out allelochemicals from leaves attracting the insect, which might be used for ecofriendly pest management program. The emission of volatiles was detected from undamaged leaves of herbivore-induced plants after 24 h and 120 h of continuous females feeding on lower leaves of the same plants by GC-MS and GC-FID analysis. The insect showed attraction to systemically released volatiles from herbivore-induced plants against unharmed plants in Y-shaped glass tube olfactometer bioassays. The insect was attracted to a synthetic blend of 1.2 µg linalool oxide + 3.2 µg nonanal + 1.5 µg trans-2-nonenal dissolved in 20 µL CH₂Cl₂ in olfactometer and wind tunnel bioassays, and hence, this blend could be used in development of baited traps in pest management strategies.     

Laboratory evaluation of trap color and vinegar,yeast and fruit juice lure combinations for monitoring of Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Abstract

Zaprionus indianus Gupta (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a successful invasive drosophilid that is currently impacting fig production in Mexico and Brazil. Very few studies have examined the improvement of trapping strategies for this pest. Here, we compared visual responses of Z. indianus to different colors and olfactory cues. Orange and brown colored traps were among the most attractive in choice and no-choice tests, with violet and white being the least attractive colors. Orange traps with brown circles around the access holes were more attractive than uniformly orange traps. Apple cider vinegar was significantly more attractive to adults than sugar cane vinegar or grape juice but was not significantly more attractive than white wine and red wine vinegars. Captures of Z. indianus in apple cider vinegar-baited traps were not improved by the addition of grape, pineapple or apple juices, or when compared against a sucrose solution or grape juice fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or grape juice fermented with Candida tropicalis. Pairwise comparisons of Z. indianus attraction to S. cerevisiae and C. tropicalis indicated a high dependence on the growth media used. Orange traps with brown circles baited with apple cider vinegar may prove useful for monitoring this pest under field conditions.     

Comparison of pheromone lures used in mass trapping to control the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) in industrial tomato crops in Kairouan (Tunisia)

An experimental trial of integrated pest management against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) based on mass trapping with a density of 32 traps per hectare was conducted in a 5 ha open‐field tomato crop. During this trial, the efficiency of three brands of sex pheromone dispenser commercialized in Tunisia was tested. The ‘superdosed’ pheromone lure type TUA‐Optima^® (Russell IPM, Deeside, Flintshire, CH5 2LA, United Kingdom) loaded with 0.8 mg of synthetic pheromone was more attractive to males of T. absoluta, and these lures should be used with high populations. Standard lures Pherodis^® and TUA‐500^® containing 0.5 mg of pheromone were less attractive, and can be used in open‐field tomato crops with lower populations of T. absoluta. An assessment of the susceptibility of crop borders to T. absoluta, based on data collected from traps, revealed that levels of adult T. absoluta were similar between borders with either tomato or cereal crops. Particular attention should thus be paid to crop borders even when not adjacent to other tomato crops.     

Mortality and reproductive effects of ingested spinosad on adult bollworms

BACKGROUND: Upon emergence from their pupal cells, bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), adults actively seek and feed on plant exudates before they disperse and reproduce on suitable host plants. This nocturnal behavior of the bollworm may be exploited as a pest management strategy for suppression of the insect by using an attractant/stimulant mixed with an insecticide to induce feeding to cause adult mortality or reproductive reduction/inhibition. This study aimed to determine in the laboratory whether or not spinosad when mixed with sucrose solution as a feeding stimulant and ingested by bollworm could influence mortality and reproduction of the insect. RESULTS: Sublethal concentrations of spinosad fed to laboratory‐reared females confined with males significantly reduced percentage hatch of eggs at 0.1 mg L^?1, and it was reduced to near zero at 2.5 mg L^?1 when compared with females fed 2.5 M sucrose solutions only. The lethal concentration (LC₉₉) for males captured from the field in sex‐pheromone‐baited traps was 73 mg L^?1 for 24 h response. Proboscis extension response was not inhibited significantly even at 10 g L^?1. In spite of a 137‐fold increase in lethal dose concentration, spinosad did not inhibit feeding. CONCLUSION: A detailed study of laboratory‐reared and field‐collected bollworm adults relative to mortality and reproduction after ingestion of spinosad indicates that spinosad would be useful in an attract‐and‐kill strategy to control the insect when mixed with a feeding attractant/stimulant. Field validation of the data is warranted. Published 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Responses of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus adults to selected synthetic palm esters: electroantennographic studies and trap catches in an urban environment

BACKGROUND: The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, accidentally introduced into the European countries facing the Mediterranean basin, is becoming the most serious pest for ornamental palms in the urban environment. In the present work, tests were conducted on the electroantennogram (EAG) and behavioural responses of RPW adults to five selected synthetic palm esters, ethyl propionate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl isobutyrate, ethyl lactate and ethyl acetate, to assess the application of a mass trapping technique in an urban environment. RESULTS: In the laboratory, EAG bioassays on RPW adults with the synthetic palm esters showed: (1) positive dose‐dependent responses; (2) differences among the treatments; (3) a greater response to ethyl propionate; (4) a higher sensitivity of female antennae compared with male antennae. In the urban environment, RPW behavioural responses, evaluated over six biweekly observations on pheromone‐ and molasses‐ baited traps, showed that more adults were caught by traps supplemented with ethyl propionate and ethyl acetate than by traps supplemented with only ethyl propionate. Similar catches were recorded in the traps supplemented with ethyl propionate or ethyl acetate. CONCLUSION: This study supports the application of the mass trapping implemented with synthetic palm esters as a potential tool for the management of RPW populations to protect ornamental palms in urban environments. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Olfactory and visual responses of the longlegged chafer Hoplia spectabilis Medvedev (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Qinghai Province, China

BACKGROUND: Monitoring traps and control methods are needed for the long‐legged chafer, Hoplia spectabilis Medvedev, which has recently reached outbreak numbers in pastureland of Qinghai Province, China. RESULTS: Field trapping experiments, using cross‐pane funnel (barrier) traps, showed that H. spectabilis adults were not significantly attracted to branches of the host plant Dasiphora fructicosa (L.) Rydb. However, beetles were slightly attracted to similar host plant branches infested by conspecific beetles, possibly owing to weakly attractive volatiles, primarily (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, released from beetle‐damaged host leaves. This compound was weakly attractive when released from traps. However, H. spectabilis beetles showed strong visual responses to yellow‐ or white‐painted trap panes, with weaker responses to blue, red or green panes, and least response to black panes. Black traps at 0.2–1.5 m above ground intercepted significantly more beetles than traps at 2.5 m. The mean flight height based on trap catches was 0.88 m (SD = 0.76), yielding an effective flight layer of 1.9 m. Flight response of beetles to colored barrier traps occurred between 10:00 and 18:00, and peaked between 12:00‐14:00, when daily temperatures reached their maximum. CONCLUSION: Unbaited yellow or white cross‐pane funnel traps are recommended for both monitoring and mass‐trapping programs against this economically and ecologically important scarab beetle. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Attract‐and‐kill: a new strategy for the management of the potato tuber moths Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) and Symmetrischema tangolias (Gyen) in potato: laboratory experiments towards optimising pheromone and insecticide concentration

BACKGROUND: Sex pheromones of the potato tuber moths Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) and Symmetrischema tangolias (Gyen) are ideal tools to monitor pest flight activity but are not used as means of control. The aim of the present study was to test the suitability of an attract‐and‐kill strategy consisting of pure pheromones and the contact insecticide cyfluthrin as the active ingredient, formulated with plant oils and ultraviolet absorbers, and applied in droplet sizes of 100 µL. RESULTS: Cyfluthrin at a concentration of 5 g L^?1 resulted in the highest and fastest killing of males after 48 h, with a 100% mortality after 3–4 days. In contrast, control males survived for 13 days. In olfactometer experiments, the pheromone concentration of 0.5 g L^?1 was significantly most attractive against eight virgin females. At controlled conditions (20 °C), no reduction in efficacy of the attract‐and‐kill formulation was observed for a minimum period of 36 days, whereas under natural environmental conditions the efficacy reduced gradually after day 6 of exposure. The longer the droplet was exposed, the longer was the time to reach 100% mortality of males. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with attract‐and‐kill studies for other pest species, the results are promising as a means of achieving highly effective control of potato tuber moths under field conditions. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Developmental studies of transgenic maize expressing Cry1Ab on the African stem borer, Busseola fusca; effects on midgut cellular structure

BACKGROUND: Busseola fusca is a major pest of maize in Africa but unfortunately is difficult to control using chemical insecticides. Insect‐resistant transgenic crops may provide an alternative viable strategy to control this pest. RESULTS: Recombinant Cry1Ab (1%) reduced larval weight by 60% over the trial period, while larval weight in the control group increased by 25%; no effects on mortality were observed. Insect survival, developmental rate and pupal and adult weight were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) on maize expressing Cry1Ab (MON810) compared with the non‐transformed parental line. These differences were more pronounced with second‐instar larvae than with third‐instar larvae. Leaf area consumed by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)‐fed larvae was significantly lower (0.5 cm² larva^?1 day^?1) compared with the area consumed by control‐fed insects (3.3 cm² larva^?1 day^?1). EM studies revealed that consumption of Bt maize deleteriously affected gut integrity. Effects were observed in columnar cells of the midgut epithelium, with the cytoplasm becoming highly vacuolated; the microvilli were disorganised, the mitochondria were abnormal and there was an increase in the number of lysosomal bodies. The rough endoplasmic reticulum had also become dilated. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the potential for Bt maize, when used as part of an IPM programme, for control of B. fusca. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Field evaluation of synthetic sex pheromone traps for the cocoa mirid Sahlbergella singularis (Hemiptera: Miridae)

BACKGROUND: Field trapping experiments were conducted to evaluate the attractiveness of five different pheromone blends as well as the impact of trap design on attractiveness towards cocoa mirids, Sahlbergella singularis Hagl. and Distantiella theobroma (Dist.), in Cameroon. RESULTS: A total of 361 adults of S. singularis (359 males and two females) were caught. The highest numbers of mirids were found in traps with pheromone blends that combined a monoester and a diester, compared with traps with the diester or the monoester individually and control traps with no pheromone. Rectangular traps caught significantly more mirids compared with delta traps. The mean number of 5.1 mirids trap^?1 year^?1 caught in rectangular traps was significantly higher compared with the 1.8 mirids trap^?1 year^?1 for the delta traps. CONCLUSION: The data revealed that rectangular traps containing pheromone blends combining both the monoester and the diester have a good potential to lure and trap adult males of S. singularis on cocoa farms. The pheromone blends used were specific for S. singularis, and the use of pheromone traps appears to be a promising strategy for incorporation into integrated pest management strategies for the monitoring or even the control of S. singularis in cocoa plantations. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Non-Host Volatiles Disrupt the Response of the Stenographer Bark Beetle, Ips sexdentatus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), to Pheromone-Baited traps and Maritime Pine Logs

Non-host volatiles (NHV) were tested on antennae of Ips sexdentatus with coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). Significant antennal responses were found to aggregation pheromone components, ipsdienol and amitinol, an attraction inhibitor, verbenone, and non-host bark volatiles extracted from Betula pendula, including trans-conophthorin (tC) and alcohols. The tC, a blend of three green leaf alcohols (C6-alcohols), and a blend of two bark alcohols (C8-alcohols) were tested in combination for their ability to disrupt the attraction of the stenographer bark beetle to pheromone-baited traps, unbaited and pheromone-baited maritime pine logs. The strongest disruptive effect resulted from the addition of the tC combined with the blends of NHV alcohols at high release rate, achieving an 83% reduction in trap catches, 89% reduction of attacks on unbaited pine logs, and 60% on baited logs. It is proposed that the two types of NHV have an additive effect, tC playing a major role in pheromone disruption while the alcohols would interrupt host specific signals. The results suggest that I. sexdentatus uses both bark and green leaf volatiles from non-host tree species in the host selection process. These NHV are promising disruptants, which could be used to prevent stenographer bark beetle attacks on log piles or standing trees in forest. A mixture of conifers and broad-leaved species would also disturb olfactory guided host selection supporting the assumption that more diverse forests are less prone to pest insect outbreaks.     

Evaluation of semiochemical toxicity to houseflies and stable flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

BACKGROUND: The housefly, Musca domestica L., and stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) are cosmopolitan pests of both farm and home environments. Houseflies have been shown to be resistant to a variety of insecticides, and new chemistries are slow to emerge on the market. Toxicities of selected semiochemicals with molecular structures indicative of insecticidal activity were determined against adults from an insecticide‐susceptible laboratory strain of houseflies. The three most active semiochemicals were also evaluated against recently colonized housefly and stable fly strains. RESULTS: Nineteen semiochemicals classified as aliphatic alcohols, terpenoids, ketones and carboxylic esters showed toxicity to houseflies and stable flies. Rosalva (LC₅₀ = 25.98 µg cm^?2) followed by geranyl acetone and citronellol (LC₅₀ = 49.97 and 50.02 µg cm^?2) were identified as the most toxic compounds to houseflies. Permethrin was up to 144‐fold more toxic than rosalva on the susceptible strain. However, it was only 35‐fold more toxic to the insecticide‐tolerant field strain. The compounds generated high toxicity to stable flies, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 16.30 to 40.41 µg cm^?2. CONCLUSION: Quantification of LC₅₀ values of rosalva, citronellol and geranyl acetone against susceptible housefly and field‐collected housefly and stable fly strains showed that semiochemicals could serve as potent insecticides for fly control programs. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

茶尺蠖性信息素的田间使用技术及防治效果

为明确茶尺蠖Ectropis obliqua性信息素的田间使用技术,在田间设置茶尺蠖性信息素诱捕器的5、10和20 m挂放密度处理区及其对照区,并对不同处理区和对照区中诱捕器诱集的茶尺蠖成虫和幼虫数量以及同一挂放密度下距性信息素诱捕器不同距离的茶尺蠖幼虫数量进行调查,确定性信息素诱捕器的最佳挂放间距;在此基础上确定性信息素诱捕器对茶尺蠖的田间防治效果,并利用性信息素诱捕器对茶尺蠖成虫的田间动态进行监测。结果表明:在任何一个挂放密度下,处理区诱捕器诱集的茶尺蠖成虫数量均显著高于对照区诱捕器,但在不同挂放密度的小区之间单个诱捕器诱集的成虫数量差异不显著;当茶尺蠖幼虫重度发生(1 361.57头/m~2)时,10 m间隔挂放1套性信息素诱捕器可显著降低茶尺蠖幼虫的发生数量;当茶尺蠖幼虫轻度发生(38.40头/m~2)时,间距为20 m挂放一套性信息素诱捕器时,茶尺蠖的校正防治效果可达88.44%;茶尺蠖性信息素诱捕器在6月上旬、8月上旬、8月下旬至9月初、9月下旬分别有一个明显的诱捕高峰期,与田间茶尺蠖的发生高峰期基本一致。表明茶尺蠖性信息素诱捕器可作为大量诱捕和虫情监测的手段在茶园中应用。     

Reduction of banana weevil populations with pseudostem traps

Abstract

One‐week‐old traps made from split banana pseudostems were 1.5–1.7‐fold more attractive to adult banana weevils than 2–3‐week‐old traps. In one experiment, all available pseudostem material was used for trapping, and weekly collecting of weevils over an 11‐month trapping period led to a 50% reduction in weevil catches in one field. In another field with a lower initial weevil density the trapping did not reduce weevil populations. In another experiment, the effect of intensive use of pseudostem traps and daily collecting of trapped weevils was estimated by a mark and recapture method over a period of 6 weeks. Reductions in weevil densities were calculated using a modified version of the Lincoln‐Index. Weevil populations were reduced by 48.5% after 3 weeks and by 62.5% after 6 weeks. Trapping efficiency declined during the experiment and appeared to be related to weevil population densities. This cultural control system may be effective in weevil control in small‐farm situations where labour availability is not a limiting factor.     

Toxicity of spiromesifen to the developmental stages of Bemisia tabaci biotype B

BACKGROUND: Spiromesifen is a novel insecticidal/acaricidal compound derived from spirocyclic tetronic acids that acts effectively against whiteflies and mites via inhibition of acetyl‐CoA‐carboxylase, a lipid metabolism enzyme. The effects of spiromesifen on the developmental stages of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) were studied under laboratory conditions to generate baseline action thresholds for field evaluations of the compound. RESULTS: Adult B. tabaci mortality rate after spiromesifen treatment (5 mg L^?1) was 40%. Treatment with 0.5 mg L^?1 reduced fecundity per female by more than 80%, and fertility was almost nil. LC₅₀ for eggs was 2.6 mg L^?1, and for first instar 0.5 mg L^?1. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that eggs laid by treated adult females had an abnormally perforated chorion, and females were unable to complete oviposition. Light and fluorescent microscopy showed significantly smaller eggs following treatment, and smaller, abnormally formed and improperly localized bacteriomes in eggs and nymphs. The number of ovarioles counted in females treated with 5 mg L^?1 was significantly reduced. Spiromesifen showed no cross‐resistance with other commonly used insecticides from different chemical groups, and resistance monitoring in Israel showed no development of field resistance to this insecticide after 1 year of use. CONCLUSION: The strong effect on juvenile stages of B. tabaci with a unique mode of action and the absence of cross‐resistance with major commonly used insecticides from different chemical groups suggest the use of spiromesifen in pest and resistance management programmes. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of accumulate dead and alive insects in trap on the capture ofTribolium castaneum (herbst)

In the trapping ofTribolium castaneum (Herbst), the activity of traps baited or not baited with aggregation pheromone 4,8-dimethyldecanal is influenced by the presence in the traps of accumulate specimens trapped. This fact has been observed both in trap containing alive or dead specimens. Interactions in the different substances produced by adults of Red Flour Beetle during their communication relationship are involved in this behaviour.The results obtained in the trials suggests that the presence of alive insects in traps is attractive for other free specimens, but under conditions of overcrowding quinone produced by them regulate population density by counteracting the effect of the aggregation pheromone, causing the insects to disperse or suppressing aggregation behaviour.     

Control of Dacus oleae by mass trapping: present status and prospects1

The efficacy of mass trapping for the control of olive fruit fly, Dacus oleae was tested in seven different experiments conducted from 1980 to 1984. Sticky or insecticide traps baited with pheromones combined with food and/or colour attractants were used. Results showed that crop protection can be achieved by mass trapping only in cases where insect movement into the protected orchard from the surrounding area is excluded. Sticky traps can be effective in cases of low pest population densities if they are renewed at regular intervals to ensure high efficiency of the sticky surface. Insecticide-treated traps with appropriate attractant and insecticide concentrations to secure a full active life of a complete year can replace sticky traps with considerable reduction of cost and increase of effectiveness. In addition they can be used in a continuous mass-trapping system. Such a system would be operational throughout the year and is expected to be more effective than trapping during part of the year only. Experiments along this line are in progress during 1984.