Improving Monitoring Systems and Development of Mating Disruption Programs for Stored Product Insects

This research project will focus on two broad areas. The first area is evaluation of new trap designs and attractants to improve the monitoring of stored-product insects in food facilities. While pheromone- and kairomone-baited traps are available for the monitoring of stored-product insects, their effectiveness at attracting and capturing certain species of insects is limited. Previous research has shown how trap design changes and changes in adhesives can result in increased captures of beetles. New trap designs have been developed based on this information. There is still a critical need to evaluate new kairomone, or food-based, attractants and new pheromone lure release rates within the context of these new trap designs to optimize trap efficiency. The specific objective is to determine the optimal combinations of attractants and designs to maximize capture of beetles and ultimately to improve the monitoring of stored-product insects in food facilities. The second area is the development and evaluation of mating disruption systems for stored-product pest insects. Mating disruption involves the releasing of large amounts of pheromone into a space so that it is difficult for males to find females. Mating disruption for stored-product moths such as the Indianmeal moth is commercially available and is becoming more widely adopted in the pest management and food industries. However, analysis of the effectiveness of this treatment in commercial settings is still limited. There is also potential for the development of mating disruption as a management tool for other stored-product pests. One promising species is the warehouse beetle. The specific objectives are to evaluate the effectiveness of currently available Indianmeal moth mating disruption programs and to determine the feasibility of developing a mating disruption program to manage warehouse beetle populations. The benefit for ARS and the cooperator will be improved monitoring and pest management tools for the food industry that will contribute to reducing the risk of infestation while also reducing the use of toxic insecticides. This fits the mission of ARS and research project objectives and provides the cooperator with the information needed to develop effective commercial products.