Mating Disruption of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Using Yeast-Derived Pheromones in Cotton Fields

The use of insect sex pheromones as an alternative technology for pest control in agriculture and forestry offers a promising solution. The development of a novel technology for the biological production of pheromones through yeast fermentation significantly lowers production costs, enabling the adoption of sustainable pest control practices in field crops, a strategy previously reserved for high-value crops. Over three years of monitoring and mating disruption trials in Greek cotton fields, focusing on the cotton bollworm <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i> (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), it was confirmed that yeast-derived pheromones exhibit equal efficacy compared to their chemically synthesized counterparts. For the mating disruption of <i>H. armigera</i>, a biodegradable, flowable, and paraffin-based matrix was developed. The matrix adheres to plants, protects the labile pheromone molecules (<i>Z</i>)-11-hexadecenal and (<i>Z</i>)-9-hexadecenal, and controls their gradual release into the environment. These biodegradable polymer blobs act as non-retrievable dispensers and can be deployed manually or via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ensuring efficient and accurate application. This precise, time-efficient, and economically sound technology aligns with European Commission initiatives, such as the Green Deal's Farm to Fork Strategy and the Biodiversity Strategy, contributing to food sustainability while respecting biodiversity.