What are Insect Pheromone Traps

1. Monitoring insects with
PHEROMONE TRAPS
Dr. Ayanava Majumdar
Extension Entomologist
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Gulf Coast Research & Extension Center
8300 State Hwy 104, Fairhope, Alabama 36532
Cell phone: [phone]
PART 3B

2. Objectives
•Introduction to trapping techniques
•Discuss types of pheromone traps
•Discuss application of pheromone traps
•Discuss integration with other tactics
Insect trapping is easy, fun, &
practical!

3. Types of Insect Traps
•Passive traps: do not use a lure of any kind,
e.g., pit-fall traps, ground sticky traps, water
traps, flight interception trap (beat sheet)
Pit-fall trap with a metal sheet as
hood
Interception trap
(can be used with or without light)

4. Types of Insect Traps
•Active traps:
–use a lure of some kind, e.g., food, color, shape,
light…PHEROMONES
Dome Fly Trap with liquid bait for
mass trapping fruit flies
Light trap

5. Types of Insect Traps
•Active traps (contd.): use a lure of some kind
Active/passive trap:
yellow water pan trap
Yellow/white Sticky
Trap with grid
Use many
traps for
accuracy
Ball trap for dipteran flies

6. Insect Pheromone Traps
Special attractive traps for flying insects

7. What are insect pheromones?
•Pheromones are chemicals
released into environment in
small amounts by special
abdominal glands in insects.
•Pheromones are species specific,
may stimulate one gender or all
genders.
•Male moths detect pheromones
with antennae.
•Synthetic sex pheromones are
manufactured & used as lures.

8. Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages of Pheromone Traps:
• Are affordable
• If used wisely, can detect low insect populations
• Insect ID not needed
• Easy to install & manage
• Nontoxic, no residue on food
• Can be used season long

9. Advantages & Disadvantages
Disadvantages of Pheromone Traps:
• May be cumbersome to handle
• Take precautions when handlings (gloves)
• Several traps could difficult to manage
• Knowledge intensive – may need tech support
• Weather sensitive
• Does not tell about plant injury

10. Parts of a Pheromone Trap
Top section (fixed)
Bottom section
(replaceable sticky
card with grid)
Metal support
Lure with lure holder
Wing Pheromone Trap

11. Types of Pheromone Traps
Wing Traps
Lure supply: Trece, Scentry, APTIV; trap supply: Great Lakes IPM, Arbico
Organics, Gemplers, APTIV
Simple wing trap with grid
on sticky bottom
Wing trap with baffles (large
trap surface)
These are very popular in IPM due to their easy assemblage, large
trap bottom, & low cost of kits!
Suitable for larger moths: armyworm, cutworm, fruitworms
Problem: change of bottom is cumbersome, weather & animals
could ruin trap

12. Types of Pheromone Traps
Lure supply: Trece, Scentry; trap supply: Great Lakes IPM, Gemplers
Delta Traps
Delta traps with sticky insert having a printed grid. Sides fold to hold the
sticky insert in place.
>>
These are very popular in IPM due to their easy assemblage,
maintenance, less weather damage, & low cost of kits!
Suitable for small moths – diamondback moth, loopers
Problem: small trapping surface

13. Types of Pheromone Traps
Stink Bug Traps
LURE
LURE
Lure supply: Trece, APTIV; trap supply: APTIV
Problem: expensive, cumbersome, wind can topple trap or
container, too attractive for strangers

14. Types of Pheromone Traps
Mass trapping kits
Lure supply: Trece, APTIV; trap supply: Great Lakes IPM, APTIV
Advantages:
Relatively inexpensive
Convenient cleaning
Lure lasts longer
Disadvantages:
Needs a killing agent
(“No Pest Strip”)

15. How to choose the right
pheromone traps?
•Goal:
–monitoring? Yes, traditional use of pheromone traps
–mass trapping? May be for home gardeners
●
Insect species:
●
Pheromone trap for all species are not available
●
Consult & work in a group (neighbors)
●
Size of the Insect:
●
Traps come in all sizes, choose large trap for large moths
●
Your convenience:
●
Traps must be checked weekly (weather is a major issue)
●
Don’t commit if you can’t monitor long-term

16. Trap & Lure Suppliers
TRAPS:
•Great Lakes IPM (MI)
•Arbico Organics (AZ)
•Gemplers
LURES:
•Great Lakes IPM – Scentry Biologicals
(MT) & Trece, Inc.
•APTIV, Inc. (OR)

17. Monitoring insects with
PHEROMONE TRAPS
QUESTIONS?
PART 3B