Synthetic pheromones represent a new breeding prevention method for orchard pest control. They offer growers a good way to drastically reduce the use of pesticides. The idea is to use an artificially synthesized scent, synthetic pheromones, to disrupt mating communication between male and female pests, thus preventing them from mating and lowering the population density of the next generation of these pests. These pheromones have no effect on beneficial insects, such as pests' natural enemies or on other living things. Synthetic pheromones are getting attention as a new type of breeding prevention pest control agent that utilizes the power that nature naturally creates.

Synthetic pheromones used in orchards as a mating disruptant to harmful pests.

 

Environmentally friendly insect control

Insects secrete a sort of chemical secret code called a pheromone. These chemicals alert individuals of the same species without alerting predators to their location. A female moth for example can seek a mate while sitting safely on a leaf. These chemical codes developed by nature as a safeguard can now be used to target specific pests and reduce their populations. Wide dispersion of pheromones disrupts the mating cycle of the pest by adding chemical static to their communication systems. Synthesizing pheromones and producing them at low-cost has been a difficult task. Shin-Etsu finally achieved economical mass-production by using acetylene as the base material. We now mass-produce a wide variety of pheromone products.

Product Column

Nice shot: How to club a fairway pest

The bluegrass webworm and the lawngrass cutworm have been as much a bane to golfers as sand traps or a dogleg on the ninth hole. Insecticide has been widely used in Japan to fight these invaders. To prevent environmental damage from overuse of insecticides and at the same time let golfers have their greens, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Chiba prefectural government and Shin-Etsu Chemical joined together to develop pheromones targeting these two pests. The project has been a success on all fronts. The insect problem is under control and the danger of insecticide pollution has been eliminated. The pheromones eventually enter the soil where they easily decompose into harmless carbon dioxide and water. Pheromone products have even been recommended for use on organic farms in California for controlling other pests in orchards . Environmently friendly, these products represent the future of pest control.

Contact

Fine Chemicals Department
Phone : +81-3-3246-5280
Facsimile : +81-3-3246-5371