7: Mating disruption techniques for fall armyworm control

While much of the research on the use of semiochemicals for insect pest management has centered on pheromones, particularly sex pheromones, another group also holds great potential to mitigate pest impacts: kairomones, semiochemicals produced by host organisms rather than the pest insect. ISCA, Inc has introduced a kairomone¬ based attract and kill formulation, NOCTOVI, using a blend of floral volatile oleoresins and sugar phagostimulants to control populations of Noctuid moths, a group that includes multiple pests of row crops, including soybean, cotton, corn, and sorghum. Noctuids such as Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda have proven challenging to control using pheromones, due to their overlapping polyphagous feeding habits. As a result, row crop growers typically rely on non-¬specific pesticides targeting FAW eggs and larvae, which must be applied to the entire crop to be effective. Furthermore, because NOCTOVI is designed as a tank mix—an attractant meant to be mixed with insecticide before application—this product will be less susceptible to the development of resistance. NOCTOVI’s efficacy can be improved when used with ISCA’s SPLAT FAW, a mating disruption control for FAW. SPLAT FAW is a biodegradable thick liquid that also can applied mechanically by tractor, aircraft, or drone. Once applied, FAW sex pheromone components are slowly released from the droplets, which confuses male FAW moths, making it nearly impossible for them to find mates. Our trials show increased corn and cotton yields when NOCTOVI and SPLAT FAW are used on the same crop in areas under FAW pressure.