Evaluation of the efficacy of sex pheromone lures and pheromone diffusers for the control of Tuta absoluta in Yili Region of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

The physicochemical trapping and control technology is a method for the prevention and control of crop pests and diseases by means of physicochemical measures, including the utilization of pheromones, lights, sticky traps, etc. To clarify the performance effect of the sex pheromone product of Tuta absoluta in the field, four kinds of sex pheromone lures (Y-ZJ, Y-ZD, Y-NK, Y-ZZ) (table 1) and three kinds of sex pheromone diffusers (M-ZJ, M-CBT, M-NK) (table 2) were selected. These products were developed by various enterprises and research institutions to assess the efficacy of the technology against T. absoluta in field trials conducted in Yining City, Yili Region, Xinjiang Province. The scores of the sex pheromone lures were based on the maximum trapping volume, average daily trapping volume, duration of efficacy, and unit price. The scores, in descending order, were Y-ZD, Y-ZZ, Y-ZJ, Y-NK, and Y-CK. After 60 days, Y-ZD exhibited the highest larvae control efficiency (23.54%), leaf damage control efficiency (4.33%), and fruit damage control efficiency (14.81%). The average mating disruption rates for the three products were as follows: M-NK (93.68%), M-ZJ (93.54%), and M-CBT (86.13%). Similarly, the average larvae control efficiencies were M-NK (85.27%), M-ZJ (80.90%), and M-CBT (66.43%), while the average leaf damage control efficiencies were M-NK (88.74%), M-ZJ (79.17%), and M-CBT (60.82%). The results showed that the efficacy of using sex pheromone lures in the field was low, and they could only be used for monitoring. However, Y-ZD demonstrated relatively higher efficacy. The average mating disruption rate of the three sex pheromone diffusers exceeded 85%, while the average larvae control efficiency and leaf damage control efficiency exceeded 65% and 60%, respectively. Among them, M-NK demonstrated the best mating disruption effect and was recommended for field application, which was at a control cost of 125 yuan per mu (approximately 0.0667 hectares).