Xlure-MST- the multi species pheromone trap for monitoringmajor stored product insects

Abstract: In the present study it showed that by integrating three pheromone lures of Triboliumspp., Lasioderma serricorne, Trogoderma granarium and two food attractants wheat germ oil,carob volatile a synthetic pheromone trap (Xlure-MST) has been developed that is attractive toTribolium, castaneum, Tribolium confusum, Lasioderma serricorne, Trogoderma granarium,Trogoderma variabile, Oryzaephilus mercator, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Sitophilus granarius,Sitophilus oryzae and Stegobium paniceum. The presence of pheromones and food attractants inone trap increased its attractiveness. Moreover, captures of a given species did not reduced due torepellent characteristics of a pheromone from another species. The efficiency has been evaluatedagainst T. castaneum in a laboratory bioassay, and the results indicated that Xlure-MST isattractive to T. castaneum, with a mean catch efficacy of more than 80% after 24 hours of trapevaluation. Also, once the beetles are caught in the trap they are unable to escape. The slope ofthe trap does not present an obstacle to the ease of entry by the beetles into it. It provides a singlecost effective detection tool to monitor wide range of insect pests which is likely to attack anyfood stock of manufacturing facility.