Insect Pheromones

In nature, all living organisms have developed a mechanism to communicate with one another. Semiochemicals and pheromones are such molecules that are naturally occurring, short chain organic signaling compounds that plants, insects, and animals release to affect the behavior of other organisms. AGBIO’s scientists constantly look for novel chemical signaling molecules produced by economically important crop pests. Over the years, our scientists have successfully identified and developed several pests signaling molecules, which have helped farmers to monitor the pest population during early cropping season. A.G. Bio employs novel methods to understand the behavior modification of insects using pheromones in our inhouse DSIR recognized R&D facility.

Pheromones

The insects produce signaling molecule/s to send information that cause the behavior changes in the opposite sex. In nature, female insects of different species produce a characteristic organic compound/s, which attracts male species for mating. These semiochemicals are known as ‘Sex Pheromones’. 

We at AGBIO, tap those organic compounds and manufacture lures for specific insect species. Once this lure is placed in a sustained release dispenser and kept in the specially designed trap, the pheromone from the dispenser gradually evaporates and forms fumes and spreads in air by diffusion process. The male insect receives the pheromone and changes in their behavior and is attracted to the lures, which serve as female decoys and eventually get trapped. In some cases, insecticide with quick knockdown and fumigation effects such as DDVP (Dichlorvos) is used for killing the trapped adults

Pheromone Traps are specially designed using UV stabilized plastic and scientifically proven for better trapping using species specific lures to monitor specific pests. Once the moth enters the trap, they will not be able to come out. In total, it  consists of three parts, i.e., - the wide bottoms bowl/ collecting bag, funnel, and the top canopy cover.  The top cover has a central hole for holding a dispenser containing a specific lure. The funnel should be fixed on to the lower wide bowl/ bag while the top canopy cover is fixed on to the funnel. The dispenser containing the lure is inserted into the central hole of the top canopy cover. Pheromone Trap is now ready for fixing in the field.

How Pheromone traps work?

  • The specific lure located in the top cover of the trap attracts the moths. They hover around the lure and eventually fall through the funnel into the bottom bowl/bag. Once inside, the moths are unable to come out and subsequently die.

  • The efficacy of lure starts 24 to 48 hours after installation in the field.

  • The efficacy of lure can be increased from 30-45 days if the lure is removed from the field during day time and repacked in aluminum foil and stored (in refrigerator or at room temperature) and again installed in the field in the evenings till next morning and the process is continued (the moths activity will be more during evening/ night).

Recommendations

  • It is advised to use 4-5 traps per acre for each insect species for the purpose of monitoring the population levels. However, if the purpose is to mass trap the adult insects, the number of traps should be increased to 8-10 per acre.

  • It is advisable to place the trap and lures coinciding with the time of initial attack of insects. Example: In case of cotton, it is best to start using the traps and the lures when the crop is 30-40 days old. This time coincides with the early infestation of top shoot borer followed by bollworms.

  • Depending on the trap being used in the field, either the rubber septa or plastic vial containing lures should be placed in the trap. The used dispenser can be destroyed.

Five ways of using Pheromones and Traps

  • Monitoring

    Early detection/monitoring/warning tools for pests in crops are the utmost prerequisite step for integrating any integrated pest management programme. It helps in the proper identification of pest type, its invasion or hatch, build-up and to make a best possible pest management strategy to protect our crops at an early stage.

    Species specific pheromones and their specially designed traps allows highly accurate and effective monitoring. In general, female insect produces sex pheromones to attract the male insect, while in some insects’ male produce aggregation pheromones that attracts both males and females. The general recommendations are 4-5 traps per acre for each insect species to be installed at an early stage of crop development for the purpose of monitoring the pest population densities.

  • Mass trapping

    In mass trapping, the species specific semiochemical lures are increased to 8-10 traps per acre in order to catch sufficient pests to lower the pest population. This technique helps the farmers in successful suppression of insect populations over a period of time and may reduce the choice of chemical insecticides as part of an IPM programme.

  • Attract and Kill

    In the attract and kill strategy, semiochemical attracts the pests to specifically designed traps and kills using a minimal lethal dose of the pesticide. This strategy is more effective in managing the pest as it instantaneously kills the attracted pest with the lethal dose of the pesticide. Similarly, in case of Attract and Kill strategy, if one uses 8-10 traps per acre, the effectiveness of the pest management is better than mass trapping. Reduces the chemical pesticide application sprays and the attract and kill method is more specific to the target pest.

  • Mating Disruption

    Semiochemical specific to a target pest using slightly high concentrations at varied numbers in the early stage of the crop development allows behavior modification in the male insect population and confuses to identify the actual female counter partner leading to disruption in their mating behavior. The use of semiochemical-based effective pest management strategy has several advantages like highly target oriented, no impact on other beneficial insects, and with minimal to no environmental effect making this novel product utmost safer for consumers and for the environment.

  • Field Condition

    Setting the Pheromone trap and using the lures in the field. The traps should be affixed to a long stick in the field at about 4 to 5 ft. height from the ground. The height of the trap in the field may vary depending upon the stage of crop growth. It should be ensured that the trap is placed at about 1-2 ft. above the crop canopy level.

Traps and Lures

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For pheromone traps and lures