Desempenho de modelos de armadilhas para monitoramento de Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: noctuidae)

Abstract

Traps baited with pheromones are important monitoring tools and can even be used for the control of certain pest insects, such as the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Monitoring populations using traps accurately determines the timing for decision-making, as only the target pest species is attracted. However, for proper trap usage, knowledge of trap characteristics such as shape, color, size, installation position relative to the plant and ground height, effective attraction time of the sexual pheromone, among others, becomes necessary. There are trap models available on the market for capturing S. frugiperda using identified and commercially available sexual pheromone attractants. Thus, the main objective was to evaluate the field performance of two trap models for capturing S. frugiperda in corn: one commercial model “Delta” and one non-commercial model “Cage”, find a practical end to automation. The “Delta” and “Cage” traps were installed in the field, using areas of corn in development stages suitable for pest attack at FAECA-UFGD and another corn area of a partner producer in the Dourados-MS region. The experimental design was completely randomized, with traps monitored every 5-7 days, and captured moths were counted. Results suggest that both tested trap models are equally effective in capturing adult S. frugiperda. Throughout the experiments, 975 specimens of S. frugiperda were captured in the FAECA area and 114 specimens in the partner producer's area. The quantitative variation in captured insects between the two areas may be associated with seasonal factors or fluctuations in population density.