Using sex pheromone traps in the decision-making process for pesticide application against fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda[Smith] [Lepidoptera: Noctuidae]) larvae in maize

Abstract

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major pest of maize and frequently demands control measures. The timing of insecticide application is a key factor in determining its efficiency, so an experiment was designed to investigate this. Application of insecticide was based on three criteria: (i) the number of trap-caught moths in a Delta-type trap with a commercial sex pheromone lure placed in the center of the target area, soon after plant emergence; (ii) the percentage of plants exhibiting pinhole-type damage (10% or 20%), and (iii) the percentage of plants exhibiting shot hole-type damage (10% or 20%) compared to a check plot without any control measures. We found that the number of trap-caught moths was, compared to the other methods, the2 best means of deciding on insecticide application in maize to control the fall armyworm. Using pheromone traps, we obtained the best performance of the insecticide Spinosad, causing >90% larval mortality. Without insecticide application, maize yield reduction due to fall armyworm larva damage was 39%.

Biological control with Trichogramma pretiosum increases organic maize productivity by 19.4%

“…The action limit, based on the capture of moths in traps, was calculated from data on the biology and ecology of S. frugiperda, considering periods of life including incubation, larval development, and ability to cause economic damage. The action limit set at three moths caught in pheromone traps corresponds to a level of infestation of 10 % of damaged plants (Cruz et al 2012). Obviously, when the target to be reached is the egg stage by the use of T. pretiosum, the release must be immediate as in the study.…”

“…The timing of the first parasitoid release was based on reaching an action limit of three or more moths (cumulatively) per pheromone trap (Cruz et al 2012). The second and third releases of T. pretiosum were performed at a minimum of seven-day intervals, based on continued male adult captures in the trap (i.e., ≥3 males cumulative per trap) after each parasitoid release.…”

“…A trap containing the S. frugiperda sex pheromone is considered the best method to determine if a maize crop requires insecticide treatment (Cruz et al 2012) and can also be used to ascertain the most suitable Trichogramma pretiosum release time. The trap detects moth arrival in the target area, and consequently, female parasitoid release can proceed at the appropriate time.…”

Population Fluctuation and Vertical Distribution of the Soybean Looper (<i>Chrysodeixis includes</i>) in Soybean Culture

“…A number of factors may influence the development of a predictive strategy with pheromones, including geographic variation [26], the impact of natural enemies on the pest population [27], the climatic conditions and the quality of the pest host plant [28].…”

First report of Dolichozele koebeleiViereck, 1911 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in maize (Zea maysL.) under different cropping systems

“…In order to determine the initial occurrence and frequency of moths during each experiment, a delta trap (Ferocon 1C  ) containing the synthetic sex pheromone of S. frugiperda (BIO SPODOPTERA  -Chem Tica Internacional, S.A.) sachet was installed in the centre of each experimental area soon after the emergence of maize plants (Cruz et al, 2010(Cruz et al, , 2012.…”