Location: Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research
Project Number: 2040-22430-027-058-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Jun 1, 2025
End Date: Nov 30, 2026
Objective:
The specific objectives of the third-year project are to:
(1) Identify bacterial volatiles that synergize female OFF attraction to TY.
(2) Identify key attractant components of the bacteria + TY volatile combo lure.
(3) Develop a controlled release dispenser of bacteria + TY volatile combo lure for use as a lure in a trap.
Approach:
Objective 1. Identify bacterial volatiles that synergize female OFF attraction to TY: Potential synergy between bacteria and TY volatiles for female OFF attraction will be evaluated using laboratory 2-choice assays. To identify the bacterial volatiles that can synergize female OFF attraction to TY volatiles, we will evaluate co-attractiveness of individual EAD-active bacterial volatiles, emitted from TY-synergizing bacteria, to TY. The bioassay will be conducted in field cages (3 m x 3 m x 2.4 m) with 8-arm olfactometer using mini glass McPhail traps. Each of 8 traps will be baited with TY liquid bait and 7 of those traps will be additionally baited with one of the EAD active compounds for the evaluation of co-attractiveness to TY. Individual neat chemicals (500 µl) will be loaded to a 4 ml polypropylene vial with a 3 mm hole.
Objective 2. Identify key attractant components of the bacteria + TY volatile combo lure: Co-attractive bacterial volatiles to TY will be combined with the key TY volatile attractant components (from the 1st year FY23 project) as a blend (bacteria + TY volatile combo blend). The key attractant components of the bacteria + TY volatile combo blend will be determined by comparing the full blend to blends that are missing one of the components from the full blend (i.e. subtraction blend), along with negative control (no lure) traps. For lures, individual components of tested blends will be released as neat chemicals from vial dispensers. In addition, lures will be also prepared in rubber septa. This experiment will simplify the blend by eliminating compounds that do not contribute to the blend attractiveness.
Objective 3. Develop a controlled release dispenser of bacteria + TY volatile combo lure for use as a lure in a trap: The attractant blend(s) composed of bacterial or bacterial + TY volatiles will be used to develop and further evaluate a lure in a controlled release dispenser (e.g., vial, sachet). A field experiment will determine the relationship between attractant release rate from vial or sachet lures and capture of female OFF in traps.