Trapping Lacanobia subjuncta, Xestia c-nigrum, and Mamestra configurata (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae) with acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol in controlled release dispensers

Both sexes of tbe noctuid moths Lacanobia subjuncta (Grote & Robinson), Mam estra configurata Walker (bertha armyworm) and Xestia c-nigrum (L.) (spotte d cutworm) are attracted to the combination of acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-b utanol (isoamyl alcohol). A controlled-release system for use of this attra ctant in traps was comprised of separate polypropylene vials for each chemi cal, with the chemical release rate delimited by a hole in the vial lid. Wh en hole sizes for both acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol were varied toget her, numbers of all three moth species trapped were greatest with vial hole diameters 1.0-3.0 mm. For all three species, captures of moths also were p ositively correlated with the ratio of acetic acid to 3-methyl-1-butanol vi al hole sizes (acetic acid vial hole size was varied, 3-methyl-1-butanol vi al hole size was held constant). Captures of these moths were not correlate d with the ratio of 3-methyl-1-butanol/acetic acid vial hole sizes (3-methy l-1-butanol vial hole size varied, acetic acid vial hole size was held cons tant), over the range of hole sizes tested. Captures of L. subjuncta, M. co nfigurata, and X, c-nigrum in a wet trap were significantly increased by th e addition of boric acid to the trap drowning solution (to retard microbial growth and decomposition of specimens). In a comparison of different desig ns of traps baited with acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol, greatest number s of all three species were captured in a dry "bucket" trap which moths ent ered from near the trap top.