Effects of Pheromone Dose, Lure Age, and Trap Design on Capture of Male Pecan Nut Casebearer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Pheromone-Baited Traps

Components of a pheromone-monitoring system for the pecan nut casebearer, Acrobasis nuxvorella Neunzig, were evaluated in pecan orchards in central Texas. In 3 trials, traps baited with 33, 100, and 333 μg of the single-component pheromone (9E,11Z)-hexadecadienal captured equal number of moths, whereas lower doses captured significantly fewer moths. In the 4th trial, significantly fewer moths were captured in traps baited with the 333-μg dose than the 33- or 100- μg dose. Grey n1bber septa loaded with 100 μg of pheromone remained attractive for at least 15wk in the field during the spring. Also lures field-aged for 30 d revealed no significant change in isomer composition of the pheromone. The addition of several likely insect-produced analogs of the pheromone or impurities in the synthetic pheromone did not significantly affect trap catch in 2 of the 3 trials. In a 3rd trial, the addition of (9E,11Z)-hexadecadienyl acetate significantly increased trap catch. The Pherocon 1CP, Pherocon 1C, and Intercept-A traps captured significantly more moths than Pherocon ill Delta traps in 3 of the 4 trials. Of these trap designs, the Intercept-A captured the least number of nontarget insects and was the most convenient to service. The nonsticky Multipher 1 and Unitrap traps captured few moths. Moth phenology as determined by pheromone traps from late April to early June was consistent with published field data and developmental models. Results indicate pheromone traps baited with (9E,11Z)-hexadecadienal provide a reliable tool for monitoring flights of the pecan nut casebearer.