Sexual pheromone in Pyralidae: a meta-analysis of application in pest management

Pyralids (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) are a widely distributed group of insects whose species cause substantial economic losses in agricultural crops and stored products worldwide. Sex pheromones play a central role in pest monitoring by enabling species-specific behavioral responses and supporting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pheromones for monitoring pyralid species based on field studies published between 1970 and 2023. Literature searches were conducted in the Scopus and Web of Science databases using the descriptors “Pyralidae” and “pheromone,” resulting in the inclusion of 42 independent studies. The selected studies evaluated synthetic sex pheromones under field conditions, primarily comparing their performance with natural lures such as virgin females. Most publications were concentrated in the 1980s, with Japan and the United States accounting for the highest number of studies. A total of 38 pyralid species were analyzed, with monitoring-based field experiments and binary formulations representing the predominant methodological approaches. The meta-analysis revealed: (i) a high diversity of sex pheromonal compounds, predominantly acetates and aldehydes; (ii) the sharing of pheromone components among related species, suggesting a partially conserved chemical communication system; and (iii) a consistent performance of synthetic pheromones across studies, with low heterogeneity among effect sizes (I2 = 13.6%). Overall, synthetic pheromones exhibited effectiveness comparable to natural pheromone sources, confirming their reliability for field monitoring. These results demonstrate that sex pheromones constitute an effective, standardized, and environmentally sustainable tool for monitoring pyralid populations across diverse agroecosystems. Their application supports early pest detection and informed decision-making within IPM programs, reinforcing the importance of pheromone-based strategies in sustainable agricultural pest management.