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Instructions for use of pheromones
(© Dr. Franz Pühringer, Häusern 4, A-4817 St. Konrad, Austria)
The pheromone baits are to be hung
up on flowers, bushes, or on a
rope in a height of 1-1,5 m (e. g. between two trees, across the
wind).
(Species developing (as larva) in low plants often use to fly
lower than species developing beyond the bark of bushes and
trees!)
The distance between the baits should be not
less than 0,8-1 m, because the pheromones are composed of
mixtures of different compounds and are, thus, affecting each
other!.
There should be light wind for spreading of the
scent.
The males attracted by the pheromones are caught by net
when approaching the pheromone bait.
The daily flight activity
is characteristic for each species (a bit also depending on the
weather)!
Bembecia spp. for example are attracted mainly in the
morning and forenoon, other species in the afternoon or evening
(see Pheromone attraction of clear wing moths
(Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) II).
Almost alle Sesiidae species can
be attracted by the 6 (8/10) Wageningen pheromones, also species
not mentioned and even in other continents.
The baits must be observed permanently, because
the attracted males only stay for a rather short time at the
pheromone (at most approx. 1 minute).
Success is thus depending on many
factors:
- the right pheromone
- the right locality
- the right season (time of
the year)
- the right time of the day
- suitable weather and
- attention to catch
the specimen.
So one will often test the pheromones
without success!
The pheromone baits should be stored
cool (and closed) between the tests and should be frozen
at -20° C when not used for a longer time. They will then stay
attractive for years (or even decades).
Contamination of the pheromones (by each other) should be
avoided.
All attracted specimens should be recorded for scientific evaluation (species, pheromone, time of attraction). A copy of the protocol would be highly appreciated.