Control of three major bollworm pests of cotton in Pakistan by a single application of their combined sex pheromones

Abstract

In the Punjab province of Pakistan, cotton is subject to attack by three major bollworm pests: Pectinophora gossypiella, Earias vittella and £ insulana. Because of the difficulty of controlling these pests once their larvae have penetrated the bolls, early season control is essential. A non‐toxic method is desirable if beneficial insects are not to be destroyed. Tests with a Mitsubishi ‘twist‐tie’ pheromone formulation containing the major components of Pectinophora and the two Earias spp. achieved almost complete trap suppression of all three species for up to eight weeks duration following a single application at the pin‐square stage. Visual observations confirmed a complete lack of moth activity indicating that control by mating disruption was attainable.