Optimization and field demonstration of the Lygus pratensis (Hemiptera: Miridae) sex pheromone

Abstract

BACKGROUND The plant bug Lygus pratensis Linnaeus is a widely distributed polyphagous herbivore that increasingly attains outbreak population levels on cotton in northwestern China. Although the sex pheromone of L. pratensis from the United Kingdom has been identified as hexyl butyrate, (E)‐2‐hexenyl butyrate and (E)‐4‐oxo‐2‐hexenal, at a ratio of 100:25:24, this volatile blend does not prove attractive to Chinese field populations. RESULTS In this study, we identified and optimized the sex pheromone of L. pratensis strains from northwestern China. In coupled gas chromatography and electro‐antennogram detection (GC–EAD) assays, three compounds within whole‐body extracts of virgin L. pratensis females elicited antennal responses: hexyl butyrate, (E)‐2‐hexenyl butyrate and (E)‐4‐oxo‐2‐hexenal. In field trials, a 20:1:30 ratio blend was the most attractive to L. pratensis males. CONCLUSION Traps baited with this synthetic pheromone blend present considerable advantages over traditional sweep‐net sampling for L. pratensis population monitoring. It can readily be incorporated into monitoring schemes and integrated pest management packages.

Identification of sex pheromone in Macdunnoughia crassisigna Warren (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and field optimization of the sex attractant

“…Loading high doses of pheromone into the septum may potentially prolong lure effectiveness in the field. 16 From the captures in field experiment 1, we found that the attractants with or without Z11-16:OH trapped similar numbers of M. crassisigna males (F 1,2 = 6.400, P = 0.561; Fig. 4).…”

“…However, the preferred and routine approach for identifying moth pheromone remains sex gland extraction, mainly because it could collect subsequent components for further electrophysiological and behavioral bioassays. 16 Considering the project's main objective was to identify the sex pheromone of M. crassisigna and ultimately develop effective pheromone-based lures for pest monitoring, we believe our experimental protocol is logical and sophisticated. We undertook a systematic sequence of steps, encompassing pheromone collection, antennal-active component screening and identification, field-level validation and optimization, and monitoring assays involving pheromone lures.…”

“…This approach has previously yielded success in developing pheromone lures for various pest species. 14,16,[38][39][40] In this study, the pheromone ratio was established based on the reasonable quantities of Z7-12:OAc and Z9-14:OAc loaded into each septum. This approach has merit in terms of standardizing and commercializing insect attractants, because previous studies have confirmed the highly consistent proportion of moth pheromones released from rubber septa compared with the amount loaded.…”

Monoterpene alcohols induced by sweet potato weevil larvae deter conspecific adults from feeding and oviposition

“…A coupled GC‐EAD, which consists of a GC2030 gas chromatograph (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) and an EAG apparatus (Syntech Ltd, Kirchzarten, Germany), was used to screen antennal‐active compounds from SPW‐infested sweet potato volatiles. The GC‐EAD tests were conducted following a reported protocol 27 . Briefly, 1 μL of the sample was introduced into the splitless injector and separated on a DB‐wax capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm; Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA, USA).…”

“…The GC-EAD tests were conducted following a reported protocol. 27 Briefly, 1 μL of the sample was introduced into the splitless injector and separated on a DB-wax capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm; Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA, USA). The separated samples were divided into two equivalent parts for flame ionization detection and electroantennogram detection.…”