Field trapping of Migdolus fryanus westwood (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) using natural sex pheromone

Abstract

Migdolus fryanus is a sugarcane pest restricted to South America that is becoming more important due to the inefficacy of control methods against it. The larvae bore into the plant root system and the available insecticides can not give adequate protection. So, the search for alternate control strategies is mandatory. However, the literature on bioethological studies of the species is scarce. This work investigates the attraction of adult males in the field by females that is mediated by a sex pheromone that remains to be identified. Dissected female thoraces were more attractive than other body parts. A trap design for monitoring field populations of this species also is presented.