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Prolonged slow release of ( Z )‐11‐hexadecenyl acetate employing polyurea microcapsules
Author(s) -
Mihou A. P.,
Michaelakis A.,
Krokos F. D.,
Mazomenos B. E.,
Couladouros E. A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0418.2006.01137.x
Subject(s) - polyurea , pheromone , biology , sex pheromone , materials science , coating , chromatography , botany , composite material , chemistry
The potential use of polyurea microcapsules, as ‘release carriers’ for insect pheromones, has been demonstrated. ( Z )‐11‐hexadecenyl acetate (Z11‐16:Ac), the major sex pheromone component of several Noctuidae species, was used as the model molecule. The coating material's ability to release the pheromone was initially studied by the solid‐phase micro‐extraction technique. Polyurea microcapsules released Z11‐16:Ac relatively slowly, with a duration of approximately 1 month, as it was determined under both laboratory and semi‐field conditions. Preliminary laboratory bioassays revealed a satisfactory attraction of Sesamia males, at doses of 50 and 500 mg of dried microcapsules containing the aforementioned pheromone. Almost all male insects tested initiated flight and among them 40.2–49.4% successfully contacted the pheromone source. The preparation of polyurea microcapsules needs further refinement as to increase release duration; nevertheless, these results demonstrate strong potential for the future use of polyurea microcapsules as part of integrated insect control programmes.