Attraction-capture of male moths by pupae of Diatraea spp. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in traps in sugarcane crops.

Abstract

Objective: To standardize the method of attraction-capture of male moths with Diatraea pupae in Delta traps.

Design/methodology/approach: The treatments were: 2 female pupae (T1), 3 female pupae (T2) and 2 female pupae and 1 female adult (T3), placed in Delta traps. The response variable was the number of male moth captures per trap. ANOVA and comparison of means (Tukey, p≤0.05) were performed.

Results: Significant differences were observed between treatments (p≤0.05), T3 with respect to T1 and T2, where it was observed that T3 had the lowest number captured with 0.94 adults/trap from May to July 2022. It was also observed that the highest abundance of Diatraea moths was recorded in June with a capture of 3.05 adults/trap, although T1 had the highest capture with 4.16.

Limitations on study/implications: The use of commercial pheromones has been established as a method of capture-presence and stem borer moth trapping. In recent years, no favorable results have been observed with the use of pheromones on D. saccharalis, D. grandiosella and D. considerata species with Delta traps. This could be indicative of another species of Diatraea.

Findings/conclusions: The use of two Diatraea pupae per trap allows the attraction of male moths. This would help in the detection and regulation of moths, with the aim of interrupting the life cycle.

Key words: sex pheromones, pest and stem borer.