The use of semiochemicals in pest management

Most insect pests communicate with members of their own species using semiochemical messages in order to find mates (sex pheromones (SP)), habitat and food sources (aggregation pheromones (AG)), to warn of danger (alarm pheromone (AGP)) and to avoid competition. Insect pests also use semiochemical cues produced by their host plants (kairomones (K)) in order to locate food sources.

In pest management we make use of semiochemicals to deliver highly specific decision-making as well as safe and effective pest control.

The use of semiochemicals has a number of advantages in pest management.  Pheromones are specific to the target pest, making them highly effective at controlling their behaviour while having limited effect on non-target organisms.  They are only required in minute quantities to be effective, are of low toxicity and they do not need to be applied to the crop. This makes them safe to use, safe for consumers and safe for the environment.

Cameraria ohridella causes significant damage to the horse-chestnut trees, including late summer leaf browning and subsequent reduction in seed weight, photosynthetic ability and reproductive capacity..

Lymantria dispar, Gypsy moth is one of the most destructive pests of shade, fruit, and ornamental trees throughout the northern hemisphere.

The codling moth Cydia pomonella is an economically important pest of many pome fruits including Apple, Pears, Crab Apple, Quince, Hawthorn, Apricot, Plum, Peach and Cherry.