As semiochemical-based solutions adoption increases as part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the development of new technologies to enhance the efficiency of monitoring lures and mating disruption systems by the combination of pheromones and attractive kairomones have been considered and explored. Generally, kairomones are attractive to males and females, have a high potential to be used in mass-trapping programs (female removal) and may also synergize male moth response to their pheromone, enhancing attraction to the emitting sources and possibly increasing the effects of competitive attraction and other mechanisms of mating disruption. The advantage in the use of kairomones is not exclusively limited to its efficiency or low concerns related to safety (main part of compounds had been extensively used in the flavor and fragrance industries) but also definitely due to its reduced cost of production when compared to pheromones. New compounds and blends have been screened and considered as potential attractants (sometimes as repellents) for several and important insect pest species. Although the combined use of kairomones and pheromones seems to be a viable and effective option in the IPM, there are other aspects limit its broader use and adoption. Different than pheromones, which have specific regulation guidelines (at least for strain chain lepidoptera pheromones - SCLP’s), kairomones are mostly limited to be used as monitoring tools only (lures) rather than for control options (mating disruption and attract & kill). Industry and regulatory agencies would need to review and adjust current restrictions to enable the commercial adoption of this technology.
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