A MODIFIED LIVE-TRAP FOR ASSESSING MATING DISRUPTION OF MICROLEPIDOPTERA

Abstract

In field studies of pheromone-mediated mating disruption of lepidopteran pests, there are several ways to determine if mate location has been disrupted. One indirect method is to count the number of males caught in sticky traps baited with synthetic pheromone. A reduced catch in pheromone-treated plots relative to control plots shows that males were unable to find the source of synthetic pheromone and suggests that mating has been disrupted. More direct methods are: (1) to count the number of males attracted to sticky traps baited with virgin females; or (2) to assess the incidence of mating of (a) feral females collected in light-, bait- or other traps, (b) females caged with males in pheromone-treated areas, or (c) virgin females placed in the field and later retrieved. Females may be tethered with thread to non-sticky traps or partially dealated and placed on a “mating table” from which they cannot escape.