Influence of lure (food/sex pheromone) on young mated cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne (F.)) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) flight initiation

Pheromone traps have been used successfully for monitoring of stored-product insects in the facilities but factors that could influence accuracy have not been fully examined. In this study, we examined the influence of lure (food for females and sex pheromone for males) on minimum flight initiation temperature (MFIT1) and percentage of 6–9 d-old mated cigarette beetles, Lasioderma serricorne (F.) that initiate flight. Temperature had a greater influence on minimum flight initiation temperature compared to food lure for young mated females or sex pheromone lure for young mated males. There was no significant effect of sex pheromone lure on the MFIT of 6–9 d-old mated male cigarette beetles nor was there a significant effect of food lure on the MFIT of 6–9 d-old mated females.

► Temperature was the overriding influence on flight initiation of Lasioderma serricorne (F.).
► Pheromone lure did not lower the flight initiation temperature of young mated males.
► Food lure did not decrease the flight initiation temperature of young mated females.