Open AccessFIELD EVALUATION OF A SYNTHETIC PHEROMONE FOR MEROPHYAS DIVULSANA (WALKER) (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)
Author(s) -
Bishop A. L.,
Spohr L. J.,
McKenzie H. J.,
Vickers R. A.,
Whittle C. P.,
Bellas T. E.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
australian journal of entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1440-6055
pISSN - 1326-6756
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1992.tb00497.x
Subject(s) - tortricidae , lepidoptera genitalia , biology , pheromone , sex pheromone , pheromone trap , horticulture , population , crop , botany , ecology , demography , sociology
Experiments were undertaken in lucerne crops with a synthetic pheromone of the lucerne leafroller Merophyas divulsana to ascertain appropriate trapping procedures. Robust delta‐type traps were used. In tests at 15, 30 or 50 cm from the ground, most male moths were caught at 30 cm. The proportion of male moths caught at each height was unaffected by changes in crop height and male population density for most of a regrowth cycle. Optimum catches were made with 0.015 mg of total pheromone blend/lure. Baits with 0.15 mg of pheromone/lure remained effective for up to 22 weeks. Maximum catches during a 24‐h period were made in the first hour after sunset. A standardised procedure for pheromone trapping of M. divulsana is proposed.