MULTIPLE STORED-PRODUCT INSECT PHEROMONE USE IN PITFALL TRAPS

Monitoring programs for stored-product insects in warehouses and proce ssing plants are directed at the detection of several species. Pheromo ne lures for certain species are commercially available, but Little is known about the interaction between pheromones from different species used in the same trap. This research examines the effect of the paire d interaction of synthetic pheromones used in the same trap on the eff ectiveness of trapping Rhyzopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum and T rogoderma variabile. The Rhyzopertha dominica pheromone can be used in the same trap with pheromones for Tribolium castaneum and Trogoderma variabile. The pheromone of Trogoderma variabile does not appear to im pact adversely on the trap catch of Tribolium castaneum, but the oppos ite is not true. There appears to be a repellent effect caused by Trib olium castaneum pheromone on the trap catch of Trogoderma variabile, b ut not sufficient to preclude its use in the same trap. Using a single trap to monitor two insect species will result in reduced cost, assoc iated with the purchase of less traps and reduced labor in maintaining pest surveillance programs. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.