High duty cycle pulses suppress orientation flights of crambid moths

Sustainable pest control inspired by prey-predator ultrasound interactions

Nocturnal moths evolved ultrasound-triggered escape maneuvers for avoiding predatory bats emitting ultrasonic echolocation calls. Using ultrasound for pest control is not a novel concept, but the technique has not been systemized because of the moths' habituation to sounds and the narrow directionality of conventional ultrasound speakers. Here, we report the use of pulsed ultrasonic white noise, which contributes to achieving ecologically concordant plant protection. An ultrasonic pulse, which is temporal mimicry of the search-phase pulse in the echolocation calls of a sympatric bat, was identified using neuroethological screening of eared moth-repelling ultrasounds; these pulses elicit flight-stopping reactions in moths but have no or little auditory adaptation. Such repellent ultrasounds broadcast from the cylindrical omni-azimuth ultrasound emitters suppressed the intrusion of gravid females of pest moths into cultivation fields. Thus, egg numbers and plant damage by hatched larvae were drastically reduced, enabling farmers to substantially skip applications of chemical insecticides for controlling moth pests.

The Common Fruit-Piercing Moth in the Pacific Region: A Survey of the Current State of a Significant Worldwide Economic Pest, Eudocima phalonia (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), with a Focus on New Caledonia

Simple Summary

Fruit-piercing moths have long been cited as important pests in tropical and subtropical countries but genus as Eudocima, has recently gained in significance, and more specifically Eudocima phalonia (Linneaus). An overview of the current pest control proposed in the literature pointed the lack of sustainable integrated pest management. A synthesis of available data opens the research per-spectives that need to be encouraged in the ecological transition of our agricultural models.

Abstract

When referring to fruit-piercing moths, the genus Eudocima, and more specifically Eudocima phalonia (Linneaus), is cited as a worldwide crop pest. Damages associated with this pest are substantial on more than 100 fruit species, wherever it is encountered. In New Caledonia, the once occasional pest has become a serious threat to the current fruit arboriculture. Particularly devastating during outbreak periods, it has become an urgent need to find a suitable solution able to support farmers in the ecological transition of our agricultural models. This review proposes a synthesis of the existing data and publications on E. phalonia, worldwide and especially in New Caledonia, with recent observations. The assessment of this knowledge and the dynamics of the species in the territory of New Caledonia provide key information for a better prospect of adapted solutions.