Comparison in vitro and in vivo efficiencies of three attractant products against webbing clothes moth Tineola bisselliella (Hummel) (Lepidoptera: Tineidae)

Moth pests belonging to the Tineidae attack clothing and other animal products, during the processing or manufacturing stage as well as in storage. The insects cause considerable loss or damage to the commodity in terms of quantity, quality and market value. Insect control measures in these products differ depending on the conditions of storage or processing and the relevant cost factor. Fumigation products play an important role in insect pest elimination for the majority of stored animal products. The need of detailed studies on alternatives methods involving the exploitation of insect traps for pest management has been highlighted. In the past years test systems for the evaluation of attractant products have been developed and further refined in our laboratory. In this study, a standardized test system for the evaluation in vitro of commercial traps for Tineola bisselliella, the webbing clothes moth (WCM), was validated. Three sticky traps baited with female-produced sex pheromone were tested in the laboratory and in vivo at the “Mobilier National”, a repository of valuable artefacts. In both types of experiment the number of individuals captured was closely linked with the kinetic release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the sticky traps. The test system allowed clear discrimination of the products according their efficiency in a reliable manner but none of the traps tested were effective enough to reduce the damage potential of the pest.In the light of these results, the characteristics needed for an effective trap in warehouse conditions is discussed.

► A test system for the evaluation of traps used for the control of Tineola bisselliella was validated.
► The potential of trapping was linked with the release of volatile organic compounds of the products.
► The best product tested is not sufficient to reduce considerably the damages.
► We discuss about a new effective method.