Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

STIMULATED CHEMORECEPTION WITH ASSISTED CHROMORECEPTION USING BARRIX-HUNTER RED PALM WEEVIL (RPW) TRAP AND LURE TO EFFECTIVELY ATTRACT AND TRAP RPW PEST IN COCONUT FIELDS

S. Kannan, Lokesh Makam and S.P. Venkatesh Prasad

Abstract

In the present open field trial study, using Barrix Hunter- RPW Trap and Lure (patent applied:202241012003) the pest RPW was successfully influenced with chemoreception by the use of pheromone lure containing a blend of 4-methyl-5-nonanol and 4-methyl-5-nonanone, in specific blend ratio of 7:1. The attraction efficiency of Barrix Hunter-RPW trap and lure was also affected by the colour of the trap, with specific maroon colour, matching to PANTONE 7421 C colour code influencing the chromoreception and colour cue of the pest RPW. The trap’s colour and pheromone lure both efficiently producing linear influence in attracting and trapping of RPWs in coconut fields. Pest catch data was statistically analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the results demonstrated that combined pheromone blend lure and trap’s colour have a significant effect on attracting adult red palm weevils. Mean sum of weevils caught / trap at the end of 4 weeks was significantly higher in maroon coloured trap, followed by brown coloured trap and least number of weevils captured in burgundy coloured trap. Thus, field trials demonstrated maximum mean number of weevils captured was statistically significant for maroon (matching to PANTONE 7421 C colour code) coloured crescent wing trap, used along with pheromone lure; Barrix Hunter RPW Trap and Lure.