EVALUATION OF TRAPPING METHODS FOR SOUTHWESTERN CORN-BORER (LEPIDOPTERA, PYRALIDAE) USING SYNTHETIC SEX-PHEROMONE

Field studies were conducted with the synthetic sex pheromone of southwestern corn borer (SWCB), Diatraea grandiosella (Dyar), to determine effect of type, height, and location of traps; pheromone concentration; and age of pheromone lure on number of captured SWCB males. Over a 4-night period, 13-, 19-, and 24-fold more males were captured in Heliothis Scentry traps than in Covered Funnel. Pherocon 1C, or Pherocon II traps, respectively. Male capture was not significantly different in traps ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 m in height or between traps placed at field border versus within the field. Field aging of pheromone-treated septa significantly influenced male capture. Attractiveness decreased as time of field exposure increased. Male capture increased as the concentration of synthetic pheromone increased. At least 1,000 .mu.g of pheromone per septum was required for male capture to equal that of two virgin females.