Evaluation of commercial pheromone lures and comparative blacklight trap catches for monitoring Z-strain European corn borer (Lepidoptera : Crambidae)

Field experiments were conducted during 1997 to evaluate commercially avail able pheromone lures for Z-strain European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis ( Hubner) at Rosemount and Le Sueur, Minnesota. Improved pheromone lures, ava ilable from Trece, Inc. and Hereon Environmental Co., were compared with a University of Minnesota pheromone lure (MN-lure) and a conventional blackli ght trap. The phenology of O. nubilalis flights, based on pheromone and bla cklight trap data, also was compared. Mean moth counts were similar for the Trece, Hereon, and MN-lures. Although the pheromone and blacklight traps d id not differ in total male moth capture, the pheromone-baited trap resulte d in a delay of 4 to 8 d in detection of estimated peak capture.