The sex pheromone of the oriental beetle consists of a 9:1 blend of (Z)-7-tetradecen-2-one and (E)-7-tetradecen-2-one. Field studies have indicated that at concentrations > 10 micrograms, (Z)-7-tetradecen-2-one alone is as effective as a 9:1 blend containing both. Rubber septa impregnated with the pheromone were placed in Trécé Japanese beetle traps. In 2002 we conducted the 1st mating disruption study in turfgrass. The plots measured 0.4 to 0.5 ha in size and were separated from each other by at least 90 m distance. Four traps with rubber septa at 300 µg concentration of (Z)-7-tetradecen-2-one were placed in each plot to monitor and quantify beetle flight. The treatment plots were sprayed with pheromone at the rate of 50 g a.i./ha applied twice at 14-day interval. Male oriental beetle trap catches compared to the control plots were 98 to 75% reduced at 2 to 15 days after the 1st application and 99 to 84% reduced at 3 to 20 days after the 2nd application. We also placed pots with grass and tethered with virgin female oriental beetles into the plots on 3 separate occasions for 3 days, incubated for 10 days in the laboratory before they were searched for eggs. However, the beetles were too heavily preyed upon for useful data. Metal cages protected the females effectively, but were used too late after the applications. Oriental beetle larval populations in September in the pheromone-treated plots were reduced by 76% and 60%, respectively. Additional experiments have been initiated in 2003.
Species 1: Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Exomala orientalis (oriental beetle)
Keywords: sex pheromone
Back to Display Presentations, Section F. Crop Protection Entomology
Back to Posters
Back to The 2003 ESA Annual Meeting and Exhibition