Pheromones Flashcards
How many different pheromones are now available in pest management?
More than 100
What are the main pest groups targeted by pheromones and which types of pheromones are there?
Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and some Hemiptera
Alarm, sex and aggregation pheromones
What are the characteristics of a pheromone?
Low molecular weight Highly volatile May be single compound or blends specific isomers and ratios are required adding to development costs Elicit a specific, time limited response
What are the four methods for dispersing pheromone formulations?
Fibres - plastic tubing open at one end, pheromone released through open end by diffusion
Flakes
Microcaps
Rubber septa
What are pheromone traps used for?
Monitoring pest species Mass trapping of pests Mating disruption Lure and kill Most common uses monitoring and mating disruption
What kind of crops are pheromones applied to?
Cotton Fruit Forest crops Grapes Olives Cocoa Vegetables
Why are pheromones used for monitoring?
Used to indicate pest presence
Often used to direct other methods (pesticides)
Can also provide population dynamics
Most extensively used with Lepidopteran sex pheromones
Problem with this though is only makes are trapped
Example of mass trapping and how it works?
Bark beetle control
- prior to advent of pheromones live trees were felled and used to attract beetles
- trees then destroyed following colonisation
- pheromones have significant improved this technique
- females are attracted by myrcene and release Eco-brevicomin to attract makes and females
How does mating disruption work?
Areas are swamped with false trails leading to males becoming habituated and no longer following trails or following false trails
Extensively used in pink bollworm
Marketed as hexalure
How does the lure and kill technique work?
Pheromone attracts pest which is then killed
Usually used where insecticide is involved (pest comes to pesticide)
What are oviposition pheromones?
Deter egg laying by others
Could potentially be used to deter or redirect egg laying
Trials with cherry and apple flies have been successful but not yet commercial
What are alarm pheromones?
Produced by pests when predators are detected (causes dispersal)
Current trials used in conjunction with pesticides
Not yet commercial
What is the definition of a pheromone?
Externally released chemicals that cause a specific reaction in a receiving organism of the same species
