Wheat head armyworm monitoring: a survey and lure doseresponse in Montana, USA Sharma Anamika1, Shrestha Govinda1, Miller Debra A.1, Lane Tyler2, Reddy Gadi V.P.1,* 1Montana State University-Bozeman, Department of Research Centers, Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 656, 9546 Old Shelby Rd., Conrad, MT-59425, USA 2Montana State University-Bozeman, Extension Chouteau County, 1308 Franklin St., PO Box 459, Fort Benton, MT-59442, USA *Corresponding Author Email: reddy@montana.edu
Online published on 30 November, 2019. Abstract Dargida diffusa (Walker), found throughout the United States, causes sporadic damage to cereal crops. Its larvae feed during summer (May-July) on the heads of the growing crop during night. In the present study, (Z)-11hexadecenyl acetate (Z11–16Ac) and (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11–16Ald), as pheromone, was used to attract male adults in two counties of Montana (2015–2018). Lure dose response was assessed by using 1 mg, 3 mg, and 10 mg doses. Sweep netting was also used to the survey the population of D. diffusa. The dose response study revealed that although higher dose (10 mg) attracted a numerically greater number of adults no significant difference was found among the treatments. Results indicated that the pheromone attracted the males of D. diffusa at all the study sites indicating the presence of this pest in Montana and efficacy of lures at lower dose (1 mg) compared to the control and higher doses. Top Keywords Dargida diffusa, pheromone, traps, Golden Triangle Area, pest-monitoring. Top |