Luring the LGB

The Natural Resources Institute (NRI) has produced a guide How to use pheromone traps to monitor the Larger Grain Borer which presents the best way of using pheromone traps. The guide is divided into sections on how to trap LGB, the traps themselves - (how and where to place them and how to label and retrieve them); and how to identify the catch and record the results. There is also a section on 'Questions and answers' and an LGB identification guide. These traps are designed to catch flying insects, and are baited with polythene capsules containing a chemical that is attractive to the pest. Although this chemical is a synthetically produced 'pheromone', it is identical to the attractant naturally secreted by the male LGB and is therefore specific in attracting only P. truncatus females. LGB has now been confirmed in twelve African countries and is likely to continue spreading unless checked by effective control measures. The most effective means of monitoring the pest is by the use of pheromone traps. Rick Hodges Food Storage Group NRI Central Avenue Chatham Maritime Kent ME4 4TB UKHow to use pheromone traps to monitor the Larger Grain Bore