Real-time monitoring of oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta, populations using a remote sensing pheromone trap in apple orchards

A fusion of information technology (IT) and sex pheromone monitoring provides a remote sensing IT-pheromone trap to monitor Oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta, populations in apple orchards. Once a male of G. molesta is attracted to its sex pheromone lure in the trap, an infrared sensor installed at the funnel-shaped orifice generates an electric signal. The signal is processed in a central processor and then transferred to an internet site via a code division multiple access protocol. The signal also contains information about when each male is caught. Daily trapping information from different localities is archived in a website. The accuracy of IT-pheromone traps in detecting male catches was shown by a high correlation (r = 0.956) between the generated IT signals and actual numbers of males caught in the trap in apple orchards. Using this IT-pheromone trap, G. molesta in apple orchards was monitored for one year. These data were compared with monitoring data obtained from a conventional wing type-based sticky trap containing the identical sex pheromone lure. Both showed four characteristic adult peaks from April to September and were significantly correlated (r = 0.695). IT-pheromone traps also gave real-time signals of male catches in the field. These real-time signals of male catches showed a characteristic diel attraction rhythm from 4 pm to midnight. The diel rhythm of the male response to the sex pheromone started earlier in the evening in the spring season compared to mid and late seasons. This study provides a novel sex pheromone trap for G. molesta to monitor its population in field conditions in real-time without visiting or counting. The field monitoring data can be accessed any time through a designated internet website.

Graphical AbstractA new photoluminous μ1,5 dicyanamide bridged 2D coordination polymer with (4,4) topology of cadmium(II) in concert with benzidine has been synthesized and characterized. Formation of 3D supramolecular architecture by intra- and intermolecular N―H⋯N hydrogen bonding has been discussed.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights
► A fusion of information technology (IT) and sex pheromone monitoring.
► High accuracy of IT-pheromone trap.
► Using this IT-pheromone trap, G. molesta in apple orchard was monitored.
► IT-pheromone trap gave real-time signals of male catches in the field.