Models for mating disruption by means of pheromone for insect pest control

Abstract

Controlling pest insects is a challenge of main importance to preserve crop production. In the context of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, we develop a generic model to study the impact of mating disruption control using an artificial female pheromone to confuse males and adversely affect their mating opportunities. Consequently the reproduction rate is diminished leading to a decline in the population size. For more efficient control, trapping is used to capture the males attracted to the artificial pheromone. The model, derived from biological and ecological assumptions, is governed by a system of ODEs. A theoretical analysis of the model without control is first carried out to establish the properties of the endemic equilibrium. Then, control is added and the theoretical analysis of the model enables to identify threshold values of pheromone which are practically interesting for field applications. In particular, we show that there is a threshold above which the global asymptotic stability of the trivial equilibrium is ensured, i.e. the population goes to extinction. Finally we illustrate the theoretical results via numerical experiments.

Monitoring Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) with Passive Interception Traps in Sex Pheromone-Treated Apple Orchards

“…In comparison, female moth distribution and immigration is apparently unaffected by the presence of sex pheromone dispensers (Weissling and Knight 1995). However, three factors outlined by Barclay and Judd (1995) are likely to be important determinants affecting the use of sex pheromones for control of codling moth: density dependence, adult aggregation, and delay of mating.…”

“…Poor timing of the organophosphate insecticide cover sprays has become a serious problem after the evolution of resistance by codling moth . Barclay and Judd (1995) modeled the inßuence of several features of the population dynamics of a pest, such as codling moth, on the use of sex pheromones for mating disruption. One factor they discussed, emigration of moths from pheromone-treated orchards, is probably not an important factor affecting the control of codling moth.…”

Mating rates between sterile and wild codling moths (Cydia pomonella) in springtime: A simulation study

“…At these low populations, the distribution of moths, especially with respect to overwintering and emergence sites, is highly clumped (Duthie et al, 2003). Past modelling efforts show that aggregation of the pest population decreases the efficiency of control by the SIT (Barclay, 1992;Barclay and Judd, 1995). 3.…”

Assessment of infective behaviour and reproductive potential over successive generations of entomopathogenic nematodes,Steinernema glaseri(Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), reared within radiosterilized host larvae, towardsSpodoptera litura(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…Increasing environmental hazards from chemical pesticides and development of insecticide resistance in S. litura (Ramakrishnan, Saxena, and Dhingra 1984;Armes, Wightman, Jadhav, and Ranga Rao, 1997) have prompted the development of ecologically sound alternative methods to control this pest. Among the eco-friendly tactics being developed for management of Spodoptera spp., biological control and other biorational approaches are paramount (Narayanan and Gopalakrishnan 1987;Seth and Sehgal 1993;Barclay and Judd 1995;Armes et al 1997).…”