Control of Spodoptera littoralis (Bsdv.) by biodegradable, low-dosage,slow-release pheromone dispensers

Abstract: A new biodegradable pheromone dispenser, consisting of a continuous thread with aninner core made of cellulose impregnated with Spodoptera littoralis pheromone blend andcovered by an outer layer of biodegradable material (Mater-Bi®), is presented for the control ofS. littoralis by the method of false-trail-following/mating disruption.Trials were carried out ingreenhouse and field during 2007-2009, on cyclamen and herbs (thyme, rosemary, origano, sage,and basil).The dosage of pheromone varied between 20 and 40g/ha: smaller plots with less than1000 square meters required up to 40g/ha of pheromone, whilst larger areas could be treated withsmaller amounts of pheromone in accordance with the plot size. Significant decrease in trapcatches, in comparison to untreated plots, was observed in all the trials, providing good larvalcontrol without any additional chemical treatments.