Use of a pheromone-baited trap to monitor the population of the lesser date moth Batrachedra amydraula (Lepidoptera: Batrachedridae) in the UAE

Abstract

The lesser date moth, Batrachedra amydraula, is a serious insect pest of young developing date fruits. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) it is responsible for major losses in the annual yield of dates. The objectives of the current study were: (1) to determine the population peak of the B. amydraula using a pheromone-baited trap and (2) to study the relationship between trap catch and average daily temperature. The population dynamics of B. amydraula in date palm plantations were monitored in 2014 and 2015 using delta sticky traps baited with a female sex pheromone [Z-5-Decenyl acetate (40%), Z-5-Decen-1-ol (40%), and Z,Z-4,7-Decadienyl acetate (20%)]. In both years, the highest trap catch occurred in April. The population progressively declined to zero by the end of May in 2014 and by the first week of June in 2015. There was a strong negative correlation between the average daily temperature and the number of B. amydraula moths captured in pheromone traps. In conclusion, the current study reported B. amydraula population fluctuations as well as it determined its peak. This information helps date palm growers to design effective management programs.