Female sex pheromone of Spodoptera frugiperda Vietnam population and a selected lure for adult monitoring in maize fields

Abstract

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a serious polyphagous insect pest that has a preference for maize and which can cause considerable damage to crops, resulting in significant crop losses. It is now established in many countries worldwide. Female sex pheromones play an important role in monitoring and mass trapping for the management of this insect pest. In this study, the female sex pheromone of FAW in Vietnam was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The virgin female’s pheromone gland extracts of FAW contained Z9-14:Ac, Z11-16:Ac, Z7-12:Ac, and Z9-12:Ac, with ratios of 87.0:12.0:0.6:0.4 (Hanoi) and 84.0:15.0:0.6:0.4 (Phutho). During the field test, the synthetic pheromone blends of three components (Z9-14:Ac, Z11-16:Ac, and Z7-12:Ac) at natural proportions of the local populations (87.3:12.0:0.7 and 84.0:15.0:1.0) and two components (Z9-14:Ac and Z7-12:Ac) (99:1) were found to be more attractive to FAW male moths. Pheromone traps with these optimal lures can be used to monitoring the population of FAW adults in maize fields. Pheromone lures and traps can be researched and developed as part of an integrated pest management for FAW in Vietnam.