Developing wax-based granule formulations for mating disruption of oriental beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in turfgrass.
Oriental beetle, Anomala orientalis Waterhouse (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is a pest of turfgrass that may be controlled by applications of synthetic pheromone (Z)-/ (E)-7-tetradecen-2-one to disrupt mating. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine release profiles of pheromone from experimental wax-based granules, a proprietary wax granule, and rubber septa commonly used in pheromone traps. Rubber septa loaded with 10, 100, and 300 microg per septum provided steady rates of pheromone release (zero-order) over 4 wk of laboratory evaluation (total = 1.1, 9.0, and 26.9 microg/4 wk, respectively). Septa with 1,000 microg per septum had a significant decline in the rate of pheromone release for this 4-wk exposure time (total = 119 microg/4 wk). A large proprietary wax granule (44 mg per granule, 25% wt:wt pheromone) provided a steady rate of pheromone release (total = 2,347 microg/4 wk per granule). Experimental granules (16 mg per granule) made of soywax with higher pheromone loads (10% wt:wt) approached zero-order release (steady state) (total = 69 microg/4 wk per granule), whereas smaller granules (4 mg per granule) with less pheromone (0.1% wt:wt) provided first-order release profiles (decreasing rate with longer exposure time) (total = 0.35 microg/4 wk per granule). A field trial in turfgrass demonstrated the potential of selected granular formulations to provide effective mating disruption for up to 4 wk, as measured by pheromone trap shutdown. Documenting pheromone release profiles for these experimental granules and rubber septa provides valuable information that will support future field evaluations of mating disruption as a control strategy.
Behle
R W
RW
USDA-ARS-NCAUR, 1815 N. University Ave., Peoria, IL 61604, USA. robert.behle@ars.usda.gov
Cossé
A A
AA
Dunlap
C
C
Fisher
J
J
Koppenhöfer
A M
AM
D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007300:Insect Control / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007659:Ketones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D014885:Waxes
C535213:7-tetradecen-2-one; D007659:Ketones; D012724:Sex Attractants; D014885:Waxes