Pheromones & Lures
Pheromones
Pheromones are, as we define them: A substance produced by an organism which elicits a response from another of the same species. Typically one thinks of a pheromone as a sexual signal, but it may be used to register food, raise an alarm, etc.
To get more in-depth information, try this Wikipedia entry. Here’s an excerpt:
Insect pheromones of pest species […] can be used to trap them for monitoring purposes or for control by creating confusion, disrupting mating and preventing them from laying eggs.
In mammals and reptiles, pheromones may be detected by the vomeronasal organ, or Jacobson’s organ, which lies between the nose and mouth, although some are detected by regular olfactory membranes.
The term “pheromone” was introduced by Peter Karlson and Martin Lüscher in 1959, based on the Greek pherein (to transport) and hormon (to stimulate). They proposed the term to describe chemical signals from conspecifics which elicit innate behaviours soon after Butenandt characterized the first such chemical, Bombykol (a chemically well-characterized pheromone released by the female silkworm to attract mates). [1]
[1] Karlson, P., Lüscher, M. (1959). Pheromones: a new term for a class of biologically active substances. Nature 183, 55-56. — Wikipedia
Example: The controversial Japanese beetle trap
An example of a trap that uses a pheromone might be the Japanese beetle trap. This attracts the males, drawn by the false-promise of mating. This could be somewhat effective. Commercially-available Japanese beetle traps, however, also contain a floral scent. This attracts the females. This unfortunately fulfills the male’s yearnings, the couples mate, eggs are laid. While these traps catch an unusually high number of beetles — more than you ever would without the trap — not all are caught and the result of attracting mating pairs to your garden is felt. The strategy is to buy the traps and give them to your neighbor. The traps will draw Japanese beetles in from a quarter-mile radius.
There are many other pheromone products out there, some have been a blessing (thinking boll weevil control), others less so.
Spined Soldier Bug Lure
The spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris, is an outstanding, North American native predatory true bug. P. maculiventrus, with its needle-like proboscis, preys on various stages of over 35 garden pests including: Colorado potato beetles, corn earworms, Mexican bean beetles, tomato fruit worms, cucumber beetles, armyworms, cabbage loopers, imported cabbage worms, lace bugs, flea beetles, webworms and tent caterpillars, tarnished plant bugs, and others. It also preys on various stages of over 18 tree and foliage pests including: Gypsy moths, codling moths, leafrollers, and others. We’re very impressed with this predator. Moreover, we’re extremely excited that we may soon have an opportunity to offer these predators (as actually nymphs and/or adults) for sale; sometimes in the near future anyway… we hope.
The Rescue! Soldier Bug Attractor, which can be planted in the ground or hung in a tree, attracts P. maculiventris by means of a powerful pheromone or sex lure. The lure draws the female soldier bugs, who come-hither to mate. When they get to the lure all they find is this big, yellow, plastic thing. Frustrated, if pests are abundant, they will eat away their blues. Put out these lures as early as possible in the spring (1st to 3rd week of April). Note: p. maculiventris adult emergence coincides with bud-burst of red and silver maple trees, yellowing of pussy willow catkins, or pink bud of saucer magnolia. New generation nymph arrival coincides with bud-burst of Washington and cockspur hawthorn, and fringetree. Put lures out at these times for best results. Use 1 lure per every 200 square feet of growing area, or 1 lure per every orchard tree. Large trees, use 2 or more lures. Best results will be obtained if used outdoors. The pheromone attractant remains active for about 60 days. Replace lures as needed.
This product is recyclable. However, if you local recycling center will not accept this product, the manufacturer, Sterling International, Inc. will accept the product back (details are included in the box).
You may purchase Soldier Bug Lures online now!
Kairomones
Kairomones are, as we define them: An allelochemic substance produced by a pest which elicits a response in predators and parasitoids. In this case, body odor kills.
To get more in-depth information, try this Wikipedia entry. Here’s an excerpt:
A kairomone is a chemical substance produced and released by a living organism that benefits the receiver and disadvantages the donor. The kairomone improves the fitness of the recipient and in this respect differs from an allomone. An example of this can be found in the Ponderosa Pine tree (Pinus ponderosa), which produces a terpene called myrcene when it is damaged by the Western pine beetle. Instead of deterring the insect, it acts as a synergist with aggregation pheromones which in turn act to lure more beetles to the tree. The term is mostly used in the field of entomology. — Wikipedia
We used to offer a ladybug lure based on this science. They were somewhat effective.
Mating Disrupters
As stated, pheromones and kairomones use the power of scents to evoke certain predictable responses from specific insects. With them we have the power to attract and repel. Well it’s also possible to conceal. One example of this is the use of pheromone-based mating disruption lures for codling moths, Cydia pomonella, in apple trees (useful in larger orchards). The male moth locate the female for focusing on and following her pheromone trail. Mating disruption lures — which are essentially pheromone impregnated twist ties — saturate a given area with so much female scent the males cannot locate individual females mating. The males eventually die of frustration. More importantly is that the females aren’t impregnated and eggs aren’t laid. This means no destructive larvae and larval damage.
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Magnifiers & Scopes
Mini Scopes
A common 30-power mini-scope can be very helpful to scouts. Using a unit like that shown in the photo, place the scope over the bug or eggs, turn on the light, peer inside, adjust the focus wheel, and see all, with remarkable clarity. These are fairly low-priced units and really worth their weight to a serious scout.
They do require a couple of AA batteries (not included, of course), but are lightweight, and offer fair durability. Thay can last a few seasons if protected. The unit can slip right in a shirt pocket or apron for convenience. If this type of unit has a drawback it’s that it’s too powerful in some instance, offering a field of view of only about one centimeter.
You may purchase a 30x Mini-Scope online now!
Magnifying Glasses/Loupes
In response to the small field of view drawback of the mini-scope above, a low-power, 2-5x, jewelers’ loupe or common hand lens is also good thing to carry. In the field, anyway. If your a mid-size or large scale grower, it might be a good idea to get a fixed unit, next.
Stereoscopes
The stereoscope or dissecting microscope, identifiable by its two eye-pieces instead of one common to most microscopes, is the scout’s best friend it they have a lab or bright place in the head-house. The advantages are typically better quality and a larger field of view over the above-mentioned and comparable powerful handheld mini-scope.
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Collection Devices
Sweep Nets
So far, most of the scouting tools discussed are used in smaller settings or orchards, but larger farmers with thousands of acre must scout as well. They do this by taking representative samples from specific area in multiple fields. This is easily accomplished with a sweep net.
To use a sweep net you gently swing the net in the first few inches of the plants collecting anything and everything — good bugs and bad — within that zone. The net (actually a sturdy muslin bag) is cinched and carted back to the lab or other designated well-lit are. Once there the contents are emptied and sorted, making identifications, taking counts, recording the findings, and taking the appropriate action(s).
Vacuums
Along the same lines of the sweep net, there is another tool out there available to scouts in large areas: a vacuum. Not the Shop-Vac type mentioned on the Helpful Hints & Tidbits page for whitefly control, but a specialized vacuum just for scouting and collecting. Learn more about using this type of system for cereal aphid management in wheat crops, check out the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) article.
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