Location: Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research
Project Number: 2092-22430-003-050-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: May 1, 2022
End Date: May 1, 2024
Objective:
The goal of this cooperative effort is the discovery of one or more attractants that can be used for detection, monitoring, and control programs against Asian Giant Hornet (AGH) in Washington State. To reach this goal, we will conduct experiments to identify volatile pheromones and attractant substances from the foods preferred by AGH adults.
Objective 1: Identify and develop attractant/pheromone-based candidate lures for Asisn Giant Hornet (AGH).
Objective 2: Determine which attractants and traps are best for trapping AGH.
Approach:
Objective 1: Develop attractant/pheromone-based lures for Asian Giant Hornets (AGH). Potential attractants identified in the first year (from volatiles of insects / host material) will be screened for antennal activity using gas chromatography - electro-antennographic detection (GC-EAD) techniques under a different agreement. These results will be used by ARS PI to synthesize or purchase the compounds to be tested. Blends will be formulated and sent as master mixes to South Korea and Japan, or made into field-ready lures for use in Washington State. ARS PI will also send materials to make the lures from the master mixes, and instructions required to aliquot the master mixes into field lures. This will minimize customs delays and ensure lures are fresh when tested.
Objective 2: Determine which attractants and traps that are best for trapping hornets.
Trap sites will be identified in all three countries. Kill traps will be tested using the standard bottle traps deployed in Washington State for up to seven lures and negative control at a time. After the most promising lures are identified, up to three styles of live trap will be tested. Traps will be checked weekly to bi-weekly, and all Vespidae recorded or preserved for later identification and counting. Traps will be run at least between July and September 2022.
