Climate change risk to pheromone application in pest management

Area of Science:

• Entomology
• Environmental Science
• Chemical Ecology

Background:

• The global pheromone market is valued at USD 2.4 billion, driven by environmentally friendly pest management.
• Commercial codlemone lures for codling moth (Cydia pomonella) monitoring are reportedly failing.
• This study investigates the efficacy of codlemone lures in Germany and New Zealand.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors contributing to the reduced efficacy of codlemone lures.
• To assess potential shifts in codling moth response to codlemone.
• To evaluate the impact of environmental factors, particularly temperature, on codlemone stability.

Main Methods:

• Field trials with varying codlemone doses and blends in Germany and New Zealand.
• Addition of antioxidants and UV stabilizers to codlemone lures.
• Chemical analysis of lure degradation products and half-life.
• Laboratory heating experiments to simulate high-temperature effects on codlemone.

Main Results:

• No shift in codling moth response to codlemone was observed.
• Antioxidants and UV stabilizers improved lure efficacy in Germany but not New Zealand.
• Higher temperatures in Germany correlated with increased codlemone degradation and reduced lure half-life.
• Heating codlemone lures significantly decreased male moth capture and increased impurities.

Conclusions:

• Climate change negatively impacts pheromone stability and efficacy in pest management.
• Increased temperatures due to climate change are a significant factor in codlemone lure failure.
• Climate change poses a broader threat to chemical communication systems in natural ecosystems.