Abstract: A highly effective lure for the attraction of insect species, such as codling moth, is disclosed. The lure optionally includes pear ester kairomone (DA), dimethyl nonatriene, linalool oxide, and acetic acid. This lure is optionally used to reduce populations of female insects in combination with mating disruption to improve the effectiveness of mating disruption. This combination of insect control strategies has been shown to produce unexpected synergistic benefits.

Abstract: Methods are provided for synthesizing the grape mealybug pheromone, trans-?-necrodyl isobutyrate, starting with essential plant oils that contain trans-?-necrodyl acetate. The synthesis method, in two steps, converts the trans-?-necrodyl acetate to trans-?-necrodol and then converts the trans-?-necrodol to the desired trans-?-necrodyl isobutyrate. The first step can be achieved by either of a hydrolysis reaction or a reduction reaction. In the hydrolysis reaction, the essential oil is mixed in an alcohol solvent with a hydroxide base, or by mixing the essential oil in an aqueous acid. A reduction reaction can instead by performed in an organic solvent in the presence of a reducing agent. The trans-?-necrodol is converted to the desired trans-?-necrodyl isobutyrate by an esterification reaction with a carboxylic acid, an acyl halide, or an acid anhydride.

Abstract: An insect trap includes a lure having one or more attractant compounds. The attractant compounds optionally including compounds of different volatility. The lure including a membrane configured to control release rates of the attractant compounds such that a release rate of a compound having greater volatility has its release rate lowered by a greater percentage or amount than a release rate of a compound having lower volatility. Inclusion of the membrane allows for adjustment of the relative release rates such that both compounds are released together over a longer time than would occur without the membrane. The lure is optionally disposed in a trap.