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Member Symposium

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

Mating Disruption for Control of Insect Pests

Nano carbon matrix for delivery of fall armyworm pheromone for mating disruption

Sunday, November 10, 2024
10:15 AM – 10:35 AM MST
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 127 C, PCC
Oral Presentation
The Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, poses a significant threat to maize worldwide due to its destructive nature. Utilizing semiochemicals presents an environmentally friendly strategy for FAW management, especially given its compatibility with natural pest control agents. The female sex pheromone of S. frugiperda consists of Z-9-Tetradecenyl acetate, Z 11-Hexadecenyl acetate, and Z-7-Dodecenyl acetate. Currently, pheromones loaded into silicone septa have a high release rate, necessitating frequent replacement of lures and proving costly for farmers. Carbon nanomatrix serves as an innovative dispenser for these volatile signaling molecules, offering controlled release rates over time and space. Characterization via Field Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Thermal Gravity Analysis (TGA) confirms the suitability of the carbon nanomatrix for delivering FAW pheromones. Compared to silicone septa, the nanomatrix-loaded pheromones exhibit a more controlled release. The physiological and behavioural response of the male moths to the pheromone released from nanomatrix was ascertained. Field trials employing pheromone-loaded nanomatrix for mass trapping and mating disruption demonstrate significant reductions in pest damage.