The pestiferous status of noctuid moths in North America is widely known. The diverse variety of crops attacked by this group of insects includes corn, alfalfa, soybeans, and cotton among others. Today, pesticide applications and genetically engineered crops are the most common methods for controlling these caterpillars. The Federal Quality and Protection Act, growing environmental issues, and worker safety concerns led scientists to research the alternative approaches of using lures and pheromones to attract and kill insects. A series of floral chemical lures have been developed, using compounds that are odorants from “moth-visited” flowers. Both sexes of several pest species are attracted to these floral lures. Lures are dispensed from polypropylene vials that provide controlled release rate for extended periods of time. A killing station was developed and tested for use in combination with these lures as a lure and kill system that can be field-implemented to release numbers of female moths before they are able to lay eggs.
Species 1: Lepidoptera Noctuidae Autographa californica (alfalfa looper)
Species 2: Lepidoptera Noctuidae Helicoverpa zea (corn earworm)
Keywords: floral chemical lure, attract and kill
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