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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #243750
Title: Non-pheromonal Volatiles Towards Control of Navel Orangeworm

Author
item Beck, John
item Merrill, Glory
item HIGBEE, BRADLEY - Paramount Farming Company, Inc
item Light, Douglas
item Gee, Wai
item Dragull, Klaus

Submitted to: Gordon Research Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/5/2009
Publication Date: 8/9/2009
Citation: Beck, J.J., Merrill, G.B., Higbee, B.S., Light, D.M., Gee, W.S., Dragull, K.D. 2009. Non-pheromonal Volatiles Towards Control of Navel Orangeworm. Gordon Research Conference Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary: The navel orangeworm (NOW) is a major insect pest of California tree nuts and is responsible for significant economic losses to the tree nut industry. There is twofold interest in controlling NOW, namely its direct damage to tree nuts due to feeding and the associated contamination of toxin-producing fungi. Current efforts to monitor NOW utilize virgin female NOW traps – which are highly effective, yet not readily available commercially; or almond press cakes for attracting female NOW, but has proven inadequate. In addition to commercial availability, the female sex pheromone blend is hampered by stability problems in the field. Recent work with both ambient and in situ volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from almonds has provided blends of plant-derived volatile compounds as background signaling volatiles (BSVs), as well as promising attractants of NOW. These blends are undergoing laboratory-based bioassays such as electroantennogram analyses and wind tunnel studies in addition to being field tested.

Technical Abstract: The navel orangeworm (NOW) continues to be a major insect pest of California tree nuts. There is twofold interest in controlling NOW, namely its direct damage to tree nuts and the associated contamination with toxin-producing fungi resulting from NOW feeding damage. Current efforts to monitor NOW utilize virgin female NOW traps or almond press cakes, both of which are beneficial but have proven either unavailable commercially or inadequate, respectively. The pheromone blend, while a promising attractant, is hampered by stability problems in the field. Recent work with both ambient and in situ volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from almonds has provided a bouquet of plant-derived volatile compounds as background signaling volatiles (BSVs), as well as promising attractants of NOW.