Pheromone Monitoring System of Rice Yellow Stem Borer, Scirpophaga incertulas Walker

The parameters of pheromone trapping system for yellow stemborer, Scirpophaga incertulas Walker were standardized with it's natural blend of (Z)-9-l 8:A1, a minor component to the above mentioned 3:1 blend could not improve moth attractancy. Among the different trap designs evaluated, “Sleeve trap” was found effective. Sleeve trap with white polythene sleeve and yellow lid was found to be an appropriate ground level at vegetative stage of the crop and at 1 m height during entire crop stage were adjudged as the best trap elevation for capturing maximum male moths. Rubber septa impregnated with 5-6mg pheromone was found to be an optimum dose for obtaining maximum capture. The pheromone in the field exposed dispensers was found to persist for 20 days at an effectively attracting level. Three traps per acre of the field were worked out to be an optimum number for monitoring the pest populations. Traps positioned within/middle of the field captured greater male moths than the traps placed at margins or outside the field.