Novel nanoscale pheromone dispenser for more accurate evaluation of Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) attract‐and‐kill strategies in the laboratory

BACKGROUND Nanotechnology has recently allowed the production of formulations for controlled release of active ingredients. In the present study, the electrospinning technique was used to produce nanoscale dispensers for attract‐and‐kill strategies. Non‐woven nanofibres containing insecticide (cypermethrin) and ( E )‐8,( Z )‐8‐dodecenyl acetate and ( Z )‐8‐dodecanol (0.87 mg L −1 ), the main components of Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) (Busck) pheromone, were evaluated in laboratory experiments. Male electroantennographic (EAG) responses and mortality (tarsal‐contact and attract‐and‐kill behavioural cages) bioassays were performed for nanofibres (with and without insecticide) exposed for different periods (21, 42, 63 and 84 days) in controlled and non‐exposed conditions. RESULTS There were no significant differences in G. molesta male EAG responses based on the time of exposure within treatments. Nanofibres with pheromone only and with pheromone plus insecticide elicited equal EAG responses. Mortality in tarsal‐contact bioassays was greater than 87% after exposure for 84 days. In the attract‐and‐kill bioassays, mortality ranged from 28.4 to 56.6%, although no difference was observed on insect mortalities over time (24, 48 and 72 h). CONCLUSION Incorporation of cypermethrin in nanofibres did not interfere with G. molesta attractiveness. Both aspects of the strategy, the attractant and killing effects, were recorded using innovative nanofibres, and long‐term effects suggest a controlled release of pheromone and insecticide. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry