DOES PHEROMONE MONITORING INCREASE the INFESTATION of STORED PRODUCT INSECT ?

Abstract:
The synthetic stored product insect pheromones have been used effectively for monitoring insects in food processing plants, warehouses, and grain storage facilities. It is a highly effective tool for early detection of insect infestation. However, the pheromone monitoring in these places induces insects into rooms and may cause an increase of population and infestation by the pest insect. It is said that monitoring is not related to the increase because of its attractiveness only to the male. However, no research data have been reported. The tests were conducted at semi-field with pheromone traps of the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella)