Possibilities of behavioural disruption to control Diabrotica virgifera virgifera
Experiments were carried out in Illinois (US) to control Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) by using a plant kairomone mimic: MCA (4-methoxy-cinnamaldehyde). This substance is a behavioural disruptant for both males and females. It has been observed that in maize fields treated with MCA, Diabrotica beetles have considerable difficulty in orientating towards sticky traps baited with MCA or with sex pheromone (8-methyl-decane-2-ol propanoate). It is expected that by disrupting the orientation ability of both males and females, fecundity, number of emerging larvae, and root damage will be reduced. Preliminary results are encouraging, and the authors felt that if they were to be confirmed on larger areas, this behavioural disruption method could be a useful tool in integrated pest management programmes against D. virgifera virgifera.
Sources
Hummel, H.E.; Metcalf, R.L.; Lampman, R.; Lewis, P. (1998) New world Diabrotica in the old world: plant kairomone mimic MCA as a behavioral disruptant.
Abstract of a paper presented at the International Symposium on Crop Protection, Gent (BE), 1998-05-05, p 46.