Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #122183
Title: DISTANT EFFECT OF PHEROMONE USED FOR MATING DISRUPTION OF GYPSY MOTH

Author
item SHAROV, A - VIRGINIA TECH BLACKSBURG
item THORPE, KEVIN
item TCHESLAVSKAIA, K - VIRGINIA TECH BLACKSBURG

Submitted to: United States Department of Agricultural Interagency Gypsy Moth Research Forum
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/2002
Publication Date: 12/1/2003
Citation: Sharov, A., Thorpe, K.W., Tcheslavskaia, K. 2003. Distant effect of pheromone used for mating disruption of gypsy moth. United States Department of Agricultural Interagency Gypsy Moth Research Forum.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Mating disruption with synthetic pheromones is used increasingly to eradicate or suppress isolated low-density populations of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) in the United States. It is used both in APHIS eradication projects and in the USDA Forest Service Slow-the-Spread project that is focused on reducing the rate of population spread to the west and south. Additional research is needed to determine possibilities for reducing the cost of pheromone treatment. One question to be addressed is how far from sprayed dispensers can mating be disrupted. Currently, dispensers are distributed uniformly over the entire area in the same way as pesticides. However, if mating can be disrupted at some distance away from sprayed dispensers, then it would be possible to use a wider spacing between spray swaths, which could considerably cut the cost of applications. Field experiments were done in June thru August 2000 near Millboro Springs, Virginia. Six 25-ha blocks were sprayed with Hercon Disrupt II pheromone flakes or 3M microcapsules, both containing racemic disparlure at 75 or 37 g AI/ha. The proportion of fertilized females increased with increasing distance from plots. Reduced mating success was observed up to 1 km from treated area. The proportion of fertilized females was closely related to the moth capture rate in pheromone traps in the same location. This relationship was modeled by the equation F = 1 - exp(-sm), where F is the proportion of females fertilized per day, M is the male moth capture rate per trap per day, and parameter s is the relative attractiveness of females compared to traps. This relationship can be used to predict the mating success of emales based on moth counts in traps.