Pheromones: Harnessing the science of chemical communication

While humans might rely on heart-shaped cards to express their feelings, the insect world uses a much more complex system. There are many ways to lure insects to traps, but nothing rivals the power of love. Insects rely on an intricate language made up of chemicals known as pheromones to do the talking for them.

Key takeaways

• Chemical language: Pheromones serve as vital signals for insects to communicate danger, food sources and mating availability over both short and long distances.
• Precision monitoring: Because they are species-specific, pheromone traps provide early detection and minimize the capture of non-target insects.
• Population disruption: When deployed at a high density, pheromones can overwhelm a target population’s signals, effectively disrupting their mating success.
• The identification prerequisite: Success depends entirely on accurate pest identification; the wrong lure or poor placement based on species behavior will render the program ineffective.

The intricate language of pheromones

Pheromones are chemical signals that insects use to communicate, alerting them to danger, food and potential mates. These chemical messages can be applied as trails on the ground, providing short-range communication, or they can be released into the air. Once windborne, these signals can travel great distances to reach their target.

Reproducing nature for pest management

Incredibly, scientists have found ways to reproduce natural and synthetic pheromones to use in conjunction with traps and monitoring devices. Pheromone traps are highly effective at monitoring and managing various stored product and fabric pests, such as the Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella), the cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) and the varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci).

Strategic advantages of pheromone traps

Pheromone traps offer several notable advantages for the modern PMP. Because they are species-specific, they only attract the target pest while minimizing non-target captures. This precision makes them ideal for proactive monitoring programs, providing early detection of target species before an infestation becomes widespread.

Furthermore, if deployed in large numbers, these traps can disrupt mating success by overwhelming the target population with competing signals.

Understanding the limitations

However, the same qualities that make pheromone traps effective can also present limitations. Because pheromones are highly species-specific, accurate identification of the target pest is essential before selecting a pheromone lure.

Pest identification also dictates the technical side of the service; it informs trap placement and density. Different species may differ significantly in resting, feeding and reproductive behaviors, all of which must direct how and where a PMP deploys traps.

Mastering targeted control

In essence, insects perfected chemical love notes long before we ever put pen to paper. By harnessing the power of these complex pheromone messages, the industry has developed targeted, effective tools for the early detection, monitoring and control of many important pests. Using these “love notes” correctly allows PMPs to provide a higher level of precision in any integrated pest management program.