Preliminary Experiences in Pheromone Trap Monitoring of Zeuzera pyrina （L.） in Syrian Apple Orchards

The leopard moth （Zeuzera pyrina L）, is a cossid whose larvae bore into twigs, branches and trunks of various woody species, weakening and killing trees or shrubs. Recently it caused serious losses of apple trees in Syria. The flight dynamics of Z. pyrina was monitored by pheromone traps （first time in Syria） compared to light trap device. This study was carried out in Damascus countryside, Qunaytirah and Sweida provinces during 2007-2008. Results indicated that the flight of moths during 2007 started in early June in Damascus countryside and Sweida provinces. The highest number of caught adults （the highest peak） was concentrated in mid July in Sweida province, whereas in Damascus countryside province there were a high peak in mid June and a small peak in early July. On the other hand, flight of moths during 2008 started in mid-May in Damascus countryside province while in Qunaytirah province started in early June. The highest number of caught adults （the highest peak） was concentrated in late July in Damascus countryside, whereas in Qunaytirah province there were small peaks in mid June and mid July. Experiments conducted to evaluate capturing efficiency of different types of traps （pheromone traps and light trap） demonstrated that there was significantly high difference within the trap devices, wherein Capta trap got the best results and caught more males than the others.

Effect of （＋）-limonene and 1-methoxy-2-propanol on Ips typographus response to pheromone blends

We compared two different strategies to increase the catches oflps typographus （L.）, particularly males, in pheromone-baited traps. The first of these strategies, the barrier approach, used alternating pheromone blends, targeting males and females respectively, in closely-spaced traps forming a barrier around forest stands. The second strategy, the single trap approach, used widely-spaced traps that were all baited with the same lure and intended to trap the highest possible numbers of males without compromising trapping of females. In the blend used for the barrier traps targeting primarily males, with a lower percentage of （4S）-cis-verbenol （cV）, the （-）-α-pinene was replaced step wise with （＋）-limonene at rates of 0%, 1%, 10%, 35%, 60% and 90%. This replacement had no significant effect on the numbers of responding 1. typographus males, but there was a slight effect on the percentage of males caught. In the attractant blend for the barrier traps targeting females, with a higher percentage of cV, the 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol （MB） was replaced with 1-methoxy-2-propanol （MP） in a similar fashion as for the male-specific blends. The replacement did not significantly affect the catch of females. Thus, it is pos- sible to use the MP in the blend with cV and ipsdienol without significant change in catch efficacy. In the blends for single traps, the （-）-α- pinene was replaced with （＋）-limonene and MB with MP. The replacement of （-）-α-pinene had only a slight effect on the percentage of males, but the results suggest that replacing MB with MP in the blend will not significantly reduce trapping efficacy.

Field Efficacy Trial of Trapping Tea Green Leafhopper with Pheromone Insect-attracting Board

[Objective]The paper was to study the control effect of pheromone insect-attracting board on tea green leafhopper（Empoasca vitis Gothe）in fields. [Method]Pheromone insect-attracting board and ordinary insect-attracting board were used to trap tea green leafhopper in fields,and control efficacies were studied.[Result]The daily trapping effect of pheromone insect-attracting board on tea green leafhopper was 19.0 insect/grid,while that of ordinary insect-attracting board was 13.8 insect/grid.The highest control effect of pheromone insect-attracting board and ordinary insect-attracting board were 71.6% and 63. 6%,respectively.The distribution of tea green leafhopper in two types of boards showed the following regularities：more in upper edge and less in lower edge of boards,more on both sides and less in the middle of boards.The mean values of control effects of two insect-attracting boards were significantly different（t =5.66

Pheromone Monitoring in the Granaries of Uzbekistan

The pheromonitoring of pest insects population was carried out in the granary conditions. The results of pheromonitoring let us detect the pest insect’s location at lowest abundance, while visual inspections are not effective, and to determine the data of effective location in granary, proportions traps and pheromone preparative dose. The aggregation pheromone of the synthetic analogue Sitophilus weevils had been carried out, according to the general procedure for preparation of aldol product. Especially for increasing attractiveness of pheromone traps, different types of food baits were tested. The results were observed with using of germinated wheat grains moisten by wheat germ oil. The corn oil was more attractive and effective for attractiveness of whole pest insects in granary. The wheat germ oil and burdock oil was preferred, as food bait, especially for weevils. The special perforated construction of the pheromone trap for pest insects usage has been developed and recommended for storage areas. In a condition of granary, successful testing of pheromone monitoring makes it possible to establish the timing and necessity of quantitative chemical treatments.

Decline of Eulia ministrana(Lepidoptera:Tortricidae)in polluted habitats is not accompanied by phenotypic stress responses

Env ironmental pollution is currently identified as one of the major drivers of rapid decline of insect populations,and this finding has revitalized interest in insect responses to pollution.We tested the hypothesis that the pollution-induced decline of insect populations can be predicted from phenotypic stress responses expressed as morphological differences between populations inhabiting polluted and unpolluted sites.We explored populations of the brassy tortrix Eulia ministrana in subarctic forests along an environmental disturbance gradient created by long-lasting severe impacts of aerial emissions of the copper-nickel smelter in Monchegorsk,northwestern Russia.We used pheromone traps to measure the population densities of this leafrolling moth and to collect specimens for assessment of three morphological stress indices:size,forewing melanization,and fluctuating asymmetry in wing venation.Wing length of E.ministrana increased by 10%,and neither forewing melanization nor fluctuating asymmetry changed from the unpolluted forest to the heavily polluted industrial barren.However,the population density of E.ministrana decreased 5 to 10 fold in the same pollution gradient.Thus,none of the studied potential morphological stress indicators signaled vulnerability of E.ministrana to environmental pollution and/or to pollution-induced environmental disturbance.We conclude that insect populations can decline without any visible signs of stress.The use of morphological proxies of insect fitness to predict the consequences of human impact on insect populations is therefore risky until causal relationships between these proxies and insect abundance are deciphered.