Screening of a potential leafhopper attractants and their applications in tea plantations

Pheromones can be used as leafhopper attractants. However, commercial pheromone products, such as the Ingle lure, have certain limitations, including poor persistence in the field. In this study, (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (E)-ocimene, linalool, and geraniol were selected and behaviorally tested as potential leafhopper attractants. Y-tube olfactometer tests showed that the C2 formulation was more effective than other formulations. In tea field trials, the number of leafhoppers caught by sticky board traps baited with C2 lures was greater than that caught by treatment. The number of leafhoppers attracted by the C2 lures was greater than that attracted by the commercial Ingle lures. Additionally, the total amount of active C2 components on lures was greater than that of the active components on the lure after 14 days. Thus, the results indicated that the C2 formulation may attract leafhoppers and have a greater persistence than other formulations in tea field.