Pheromones
Plant Research International's PHEROBANK maintains the world's largest collection of pheromone compounds. PHEROBANK develops, produces and sells pheromone lures that are used worldwide for the selective detection of (harmful) insect species. New pheromones can be identified and synthesized by PHEROBANK.
PHEROBANK has for over 150 species the pheromone lures always available from stock. From this collection PHEROBANK selected four species which they want to offer you today as a free sample.
- Tuta absoluta
Synonym: Scrobipalpula absoluta, Scrobipalpuloides absoluta
Common names: Tomato leafminer, Oruga minadora de hoja y tallo
The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, is, at present, considered to be the most important pest on tomatoes in South-America. This species, frequently confused with Keiferia lycopersicella species, occurs at lower altitudes in larger parts of South-America. The larvae of this moth mine the leaves and in tomato fruits of the tomato plants and, thus, cause considerable damage. Because larvae live inside the leaves or fruits, they are difficult to control with pesticides. Areas in Brazil are reported to become unsuitable for tomato growing due to this pest. At Plant Research International we identified the full pheromone for this species. It appeared that the pheromone consists of two poly-unsaturated compounds.
The pheromone can be used to monitor and/or to mass-trap this insect. Initial trapping tests in Chilean tomato greenhouses showed that very large numbers of males were caught and at the same time the level of infestation was reduced to an acceptable level. This result was obtained without additional application of pesticides.
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| Peruvian tomato fields....... |
protected by pheromone lures developed by PHEROBANK. |
- Phthorimaea operculella and Tecia solanivora
Common names: potato tuberworm, La polilla de la papa
Both Phthorimaea operculella and Tecia solanivora are notorious pests on potato. Both species attack the potato plants and their tubers. T. solanivora is threatening potato crops in the Andean region, after wreaking havoc in Central America. Despite the heavy use of insecticide in that region, where the pest is believed to have originated, T. solanivora has marched steadily southward to Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. Bracing for the onslaught, Peru has focused its resources on prevention. It has added the pest to its quarantine list and launched a large-scale detection program. Helping with these efforts, CIP has provided pheromone lures, originating from PHEROBANK, and technical support to SENASA, the national agricultural department that is directing the operation. Pheromone traps (in farmers fields) and baculovirus (in tuber storage units) are widely used. P. operculella is one of the most damaging pests of potatoes, Solanum tuberosum L., in warm temperate and subtropical climates.
During the growing season P. operculella mines into foliage and stems, while at plant senescence adults lay eggs in soil cracks and on exposed tubers. At harvest, tubers do not always show signs of damage but they may harbour eggs and early instar larvae. This may result in severe postharvest losses in the absence of adequate control measures. The potato tuber moth is the single most significant insect pest of potato (field and storage) in North Africa and the Middle East. In the absence of cold stores, farmers must rely on chemical insecticides to protect tubers from tuber moth damage during the storage period. CIP has been using PHEROBANK pheromones for more than 10 years to monitor this pest (partial source: CIP, Lima, Peru).
- Cylas formicarius
Common names: sweetpotato weevil, Tetuán del Boniato
Sweetpotato weevil is often considered to be the most serious pest of sweetpotato, with reports of losses ranging from 5 to 97% in areas where the weevil occurs. A symptom of infestation by sweetpotato weevil is yellowing of the vines, but a heavy infestation is usually necessary before this is apparent. Thus, incipient problems are easily overlooked, and damage not apparent until tubers are harvested. Even low levels of feeding induce a chemical reaction that imparts a bitter taste and terpene odor to the tubers. Larvae also mine the vine of the plant, causing it to darken, crack, or collapse. The adult may feed on the tubers, creating numerous small holes that measure about the length of its head. The adult generally has limited access to the tubers, however, so damage by this stage is less severe than by larvae. Adult feeding on the foliage seldom is of consequence. Sweetpotato weevil is the most serious pest of sweet potato, not only in the United States, but around the world. It causes damage in the field, in storage, and is of quarantine significance.
Sweetpotato weevil can be monitored with our pheromone lures to determine the density of the pest in the field, or even better: high density of traps with our Cylas pheromone can suppress the weevil population to very low levels.
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| PHEROBANK traps them by the hundred... |
... or even by the thousands. |
Application
Place the pheromone lure above the water or sticky surface of a suitable trap or near any place were you want the pest to be retained. Check the trap and remove caught insects at least twice a week. Lures are attractive for at least 8 weeks (up to one year for Tecia solanivora).
Development
PHEROBANK will further develop control systems based on environment-friendly pheromone techniques.
Tips for handling of pheromone lures:
- Pheromone lures are best kept in the refrigerator or freezer in the tightly closed original packaging. Lures are guaranteed for two years when kept at minus 25°C and for one year when kept in the refrigerator. Before use allow the original packaging to acclimate to room temperature before opening to prevent condensation.
- There are two different types of lures: in red natural rubber and white polyethylene vials. The white vials must be hung closed in place! The rubber lures may be pierced at the edges without hampering the potency of the lures.
- Wash your hands before and after working with pheromone lures in order to prevent contamination. This is vitally important when working with lures for different species.
- Do not use traps for different species. Respect at least 10 metres between traps.
- Hang traps at foliage height where possible.
- All PHEROBANK materials can be disposed of together with the normal household rubbish.