A new type of pheromone formulation with visual stimulation for control of sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Fabricius)

Abstract

A new pheromone formulation was developed to increase exposure time to insecticide for control of the sweet potato weevil. The formulation was a combination of sex pheromone, (Z)-3-dodecenyl(E)-2-butenoate, and an insecticide (MEP) impregnated into a blue ball (2 mm in diameter) made of the diatomaceous soil. The male weevils were attracted to the visual stimulation in addition to the sex pheromone. The attracted males located and tried to mate with the ball. They were thereby efficiently exposed to the insecticide for a longer time. The concentration of the new formulation was extremely low compared to the conventional formulations and therefore lower the cost of application.