A versatile and effective trap for detecting and monitoring stored-product coleoptera

An efficient multi-species trap of corrugated paper and utilizing plastic pitfall devices containing a vegetable-oil based food attractant, was developed for the purpose of detecting and monitoring stored-product insects. Adults of Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), Tribolium confusum Jacquelin duVal and larvae of Trogoderma variabile Ballion were trapped successfully in laboratory assays. Using a multiple-choice olfactometer, Tribolium confusum and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) adults were shown to respond to 4, R-8, R-dimethyldecanal, their natural aggregation pheromone, and to distinguish between this and other diastereomers when tested simultaneously. The S-R and S-S diastereomers may be slightly inhibitory to T. castaneum response. Tribolium confusum was attracted to racemic 4, 8-dimethyldecanal applied to rubber septa lures. High doses of the pheromone reduced attraction. The pheromone is currently being used with food attractants in the trap for monitoring field populations of Tribolium and other stored-product insects.