Pheromone Traps

The integrated pest management is based on the exact data about insect population. These data can be received owing to the observation of insects by means of pheromone traps. The integrated pest management uses the selective means of influence on populations. Pheromone matters allow insects to be managed without inflicting of other organisms in ecosystem.

The pheromone trap captures target species even if the density of population is very low. That is why pheromone traps are applied for the early prevention of pest emergence. Monitoring is very important when the number of pests increases quickly every year or if migration is expected. By means of traps the new confines of insect colonization can be determined in early stage. Besides, it can be predicted the dynamics of population development, revealed the distribution of insects on infested area. Monitoring is used for the prognosis of emergence terms and insect number. Owing to it the optimum periods of chemical treatments and entomophage invasions are also determined. Under the infestation of plants with several insect species this pheromone monitoring allows the most dangerous species to be found and defensive strategy to be defined.

The application of pheromone traps is economically acceptable in plant defense against dangerous species in such branches of agricultural production as glass-covered ground (vegetable and ornamental crops), fruit growing (industrial orchards), vine growing (industrial viniculture) and forestry. The most economically dangerous species are Cydia pomonella, Cydia molesta, Cydia funebrana, Heliothis armigera, Autographa gamma, Mamestra brassicae, Archis rosana, Hedya nubiferana, Archis podana, Lobesia botrana, Portheria dispar and some other species.

Description of products
and directions for use

There are several modifications of pheromone traps. The most spread of them are funnel and delta traps. The differences of these traps consist in construction, the mechanism of pest capture and the conditions of application. Funnel traps unlike delta ones are made of plastic owing to it these traps are more resistant to weather conditions. Therefore it is possible their mass application in outdoor growing (orcharding, viniculture, forestry).

The construction of a delta trap consists of a base (body) made of rigid water-resistant cardboard, a plastic holder, the basket for a pheromone capsule, the metal fastener for the fixing of the trap, replacable adhesive panels (two of them are included into the set of delivery). The pheromone capsules are delivered separately and are not included in the set of the trap. But it is possible the additional set of replaceable adhesive panels. The adhesive panels must be replaced in case of the high degree of contamination. The effective life of pheromone traps is approximately 23 months in dependence on weather conditions during their application. It is rationally to use delta traps in glass-covered ground. But it is possible their application in the conditions of outdoor growing for the signal system of the primary signs of pest flights. The construction of a funnel trap consists of a plastic basis (stiff plastic) with fixers, a plastic nozzle with the holder of the basket for a pheromone capsule (transparent plastic), the holder of a trap body (for the fixing of body components), a plastic peak with the hole for the basket of a pheromone capsule, the basket itself for the pheromone capsule, the rubber caps for the basket and the fasteners for the fixing of the trap. The pheromone capsules are not included in the set of delivery for the trap and they are ordered additionally. The application of the funnel trap is possible in two variants: together with the application of the plastic peak and without it. Its using depends on the objects of capture, which is planned to conduct. Dependently on the conditions of application the pheromone capsules are effective during 11.5 months, after that they must be replaced. The serviceable life of a funnel trap construction is 12 seasons. After the completion of agricultural season the funnel trap is subjected to cleaning (the plastic body is carefully washed) then it is stored until the next agricultural season. For the improvement of the holding capacity of captured insects it is recommended to fill the plastic nozzle with some quantity of sticky matter or water in dependence on the manner of trap application.

The pheromone capsules containing synthetic and biological attractants are specific for certain pest species. The pheromone capsules are available for a capture of more than 50 economically dangerous species of insects.

For the flight start detection of Lepidopterous pest moths and the observation of their dynamics the traps are disposed in stationary place since the moment of the permanent increase of air temperature in dusk more than +16.5C. The traps are allocated in such a way to minimize the influence of direct sun rays on the trap. Before the start of moth flights the traps are inspected every day and since the moment of the finding of the first moths examinations are conducted 1 time per week. The confines of mass flight are determined in such a way: the start of mass flight is considered the date of the sudden number increase of the moths on the traps, after that their capture within 23 counts should be not less than it was at the end of the period of mass flight. The completion of mass flight is registered under steady (during 3 days and more) and considerable (510 times as less than the maximal) decrease of average daily moth capture. During the analysis of capture results all counts are recalculated into trap-days or into 1 week of capture. The traps are allocated randomly in amounts of 510 traps per 1 ha and with a distance between them not less than 50 m. For the getting of the correct statistic analysis of data it is expedient to use no less than 5 frequencies.

Safety precautions for work with pheromone traps

Synthetic pheromones are practically nontoxic substances which attracts one or several insect species and not dangerous for other animals and men. Working with pheromone materials it is necessary to keep the general procedures of precaution: filling of traps with pheromone matter should be made in a ventilated room or directly in a field. After work it is necessary to wash hands with soap and in case of the getting of adhesive on the hands it is removed by means of a tampon wetted in solvent (white spirit). The capsules of pheromone are recommended to use in the year of making. But if necessary it is possible their keeping in a hermetic container at a temperature of 35C. Used traps and their components must be utilized.