Development of an attract~and-kill strategy for the potato tuber moth complex Phthorimaea operculella Zeller and Symmetrischema tangolias (Gyen) in Peru

摘要

The common potato tuber moth (PTM, P. operculella) and the Andean potato tuber moth (APTM, S. tangolias) are important pests of potato (Solanum sp.) and other Solanaceae crops. PTM has a worldwide distribution and is considered the most damaging potato pest in the developing world. It had been a key pest in Andean potato production but was replaced in many areas by the APTM. The damaging life-stage of both species is when larvae attack leaves, stems and tubers. Sex pheromones, identified for both moths and formulated in lures, have been widely used in IPM for monitoring the flight activity of PTM/APTM males. Further, they have been tested for mass trapping. We tested the hypothesis that an attract-and-kill strategy consisting of pheromone and contact insecticide is effective in controlling both pests. The objective of our preliminary studies was to evaluate different insecticide concentrations, the stability of the formulation and to monitor the effect on the male population under field conditions.