Field Evaluation of Attracticides in Managing Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechidae) in Bhutan

Abstract

The Potato Tuber Moth (PTM) is the most important insect pest of potato in the world and is increasingly becoming a very important pest of potato in Bhutan as well. Attracticides, a formulation containing synthetic pheromone mixed with an insecticide and applied as drops, was introduced from International Potato Center and evaluated for its use to control the PTM. Field experiments were carried out to assess the efficacy of attracticides in controlling PTM populations in different locations of Bhutan in 2010 and 2011. After application
of attracticides, significant difference in the weekly mean adult male population of the pest between the controlled and treated plots were observed in both the years. Application of attracticides reduced the male population by 63-100% in the treated fields over a period of four to eight weeks. Results indicate that this technology can be employed against PTM as an environment friendly alternative to insecticidal cover sprays. Attracticides are effective, affordable, and easy to use formulation especially in the field. However, this study
should not be used to make recommendations at this stage since further studies on the effectiveness of attracticides on PTM over wider area covering various agroecological zones, optimum application rate, and frequency; considering both efficacy and cost benefit, are recommended.