Pheromone traps are an increasingly valuable tool for growers in South Africa’s Lowveld, particularly as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme. However, one question often comes up:
“Won’t the pheromone lure attract more pests into my crop?”
The simple answer is no. This is one of the most common misconceptions about pheromone traps. Rather than drawing large numbers of insects from surrounding farms or distant areas, pheromone lures are designed to detect and capture pest insects that are already present in, or naturally moving through, the crop and its immediate surroundings.
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How do pheromone lures work?
Pheromones are natural chemical signals that insects use to communicate with each other. In many species of moths, fruit flies, and mealybugs, females release a specific pheromone to attract males for mating. Scientists have identified and reproduced these natural chemical signals, allowing growers to use them in traps for pest monitoring. A pheromone lure slowly releases a very small amount of the specific chemical into the surrounding air. Male insects of the target pest species detect the scent and follow it towards the trap. Once inside, the insect is captured, allowing the grower to monitor pest activity.
An important point is that pheromone lures are highly species-specific. A lure designed for one pest will generally attract only that pest species, making pheromone trapping a precise and useful monitoring method. Koppert’s Pherodis range, for example, contains species-specific pheromones or lures for different moths, flies, and mealybugs.
Will the trap bring more pests into my crop?
No - a pheromone lure does not act like a giant pest beacon calling insects from kilometres away. Its attraction range is relatively limited and depends on factors such as the pest species, lure formulation, weather conditions, and crop environment. Instead, the trap acts more like an early-warning system. It helps reveal that the pest is already present in the crop or nearby area.
This is particularly important in the Lowveld, where warm conditions can favour rapid insect development and population increases. A pest population can begin building before growers see obvious signs of crop damage. By the time damaged fruit, leaves or shoots become noticeable, the pest may already have completed several life cycles, resulting in a much higher pest population, making it more difficult to control.
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