Optimization of Pheromone Lure and Trap Characteristics for Currant Clearwing, Synanthedon tipuliformis

Abstract

Currant clearwing Synanthedon tipuliformis (Sesiidae) has been a pioneering and successful target of mating disruption in New Zealand, with virtually universal black currant industry adoption since c. 1990. Recent unexplained control failures using mating disruption lead to questions about pheromone efficacy. In this study, we have investigated the possible reasons for reduced control from mating disruption, and report improvements in trap catch based on pheromone loading and trap color. No differences were found in electrophysiological responses to pheromone components from two New Zealand populations. Male moth catches in traps baited with synthetic lures were disrupted in the presence of mating disruption dispensers ( > 99.99%) indicating no apparent barrier to efficacy from the pheromone formulation. Field behavioral observations confirmed this result. Male attraction to yellow delta traps was equivalent to green delta traps, but was greater than to red, black, blue, or white traps. Solid yellow delta traps were more attractive than black traps with yellow stripes, the latter designed to mimic the color pattern of the insect. Solid yellow funnel traps were less attractive than a composite of green, yellow, and white funnel traps. Trap catch increased as a function of pheromone loading, and trap color. In another experiment conducted in Tasmania, there was no difference in catch with single component [(E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate] or two component lures [97% (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate:3% (E,Z)-3,13octadecadienyl acetate], refuting the suggestion of a different pheromone strain there.

Response of <I>Melittia oedipus</I> (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) to Visual Cues Is Increased by the Presence of Food Source

“…However, it is not known why M. oedipus is attracted to the color yellow. Similar results were obtained in the case of the currant moth, S. tipuliformis, which is highly attracted to patches of yellow (Suckling et al 2005). Similarly, the squash vine borer, M. cucurbitae, also has been reported to be attracted to yellow (traps) (Jackson et al 2005).…”

“…Most studies on color preference published so far with species of Sesiidae have involved use of pheromone traps in the context of mating disruption of species that are pests of crops such as Melittia cucurbitae Harris (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) (Klun et al 1990, Jackson et al 2005 and Synanthedon tipuliformis Clerck (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) (Karalius and Bû da 1990, Bû da and Karalius 1993, Suckling et al 2005). The current study is Means were generated from three observations.…”

“…The accessibility of food-based attractants will give a new breadth in exploring the interactions among visual cues and chemical cues for developing the monitoring tools. However, further studies are required to observe the response of M. oedipus to the many different shades of yellow, as suggested by Suckling et al (2005) for S. tipuliformis. This will enhance the attraction toward food source and may help in developing mass rearing techniques for the Þeld release to control invasive weeds.…”

COLOUR VISION IN CURRANT CLEARWING MOTH (SYNANTHEDON TIPULIFORMIS) (LEPIDOPTERA: SESIIDAE)

“…The currant clearwing is a daily-active species, and the male reaction to the sex pheromone is strongly modulated by visual stimuli . In case of coloured pheromone traps, males preferred yellow and green traps to the black, brown, and violet or blue ones Suckling et al 2005). Is this effect caused by the trap contrast against the background or the preference for some colours?…”

“…Like many other species of the family Sesiidae, these moths possess a long-range sex pheromone, which was identified as a mixture of E2,Z13-and E3,Z13-octadecadien-1-ol acetates in a ratio of 100:3 (Szöcs et al 1985;James et al 2001;Mozûraitis et al 2006). Methods involving sex pheromones are widely used to control this pest (Grassi et al 2002;Karalius et al 2003;Suckling et al 2005). The currant clearwing is a daily-active species, and the male reaction to the sex pheromone is strongly modulated by visual stimuli .…”