Pellet formulations of sex pheromone components for mating disruption of oriental beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in turfgrass.

Wax-based pelleted sex pheromone formulations were tested for efficacy in managing oriental beetle, Anomala orientalis Waterhouse, in turfgrass. Four pellet formulations were field tested at 25 g pheromone/ha during 2006 and 2007. Application patterns included pellets specifically placed in a uniform grid pattern and pellets scattered by a broadcast spreader. Treatment efficacy was measured by monitoring male A. orientalis captures in pheromone-baited traps, determining mating success of confined virgin females, and estimating subsequent densities of A. orientalis larvae in soil/sod samples. All formulation and application pattern combinations effectively suppressed mating for 2 wk after application as measured by reduction in male trap captures and mating success of confined virgins. Two formulations gradually lost efficacy beginning 2 wk after application and the two others after 3-4 wk. Application pattern had no effect on trap captures. The most effective formulation reduced trap captures by >/=90% for 36 d, reduced mating success of confined females by 86-100% until 24 d after treatment, and reduced A. orientalis larval populations by 69%. In a previous study, sprayable formulations resulted in nuisance contamination of shoes that attracted male beetles outside of pheromone-treated areas. In contrast, shoes walked through pellet-treated areas did not attract male beetles. Pellet formulations have great potential for A. orientalis mating disruption, but more research is needed to optimize performance.