COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS TO MANAGE HEMIPTERA

Abstract

Compositions and methods for affecting Hemiptera. The compositions contain an alkyl ester of (2,4)-decadienoic acid. The compositions attract Hemiptera. The compositions may further include a toxicant.

Claims

1. A composition for affecting Hemiptera, the composition comprising an alkyl ester of (2,4)-decadienoic acid.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the Hemiptera are selected from the group consisting of the genera Nezara, Tibraca, Diceraeus (Dichelops), Piezodorus, Oebalus, Edessa, and Chinavia.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the alkyl ester is an ethyl ester.

4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the ethyl ester is (2E,4Z)-decadienoic acid ethyl ester.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the alkyl ester is a methyl ester.

6. The composition of claim 5, wherein the methyl ester is (2E,4Z)-decadienoic acid methyl ester.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition attracts Hemiptera.

8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the Hemiptera is Diceraus melacanthus.

9. The composition of claim 7, wherein the Hemiptera is Nezara viridula.

10. The composition of claim 7, wherein the Hemiptera is Piezodorus guildinii.

11. The composition of claim 7, wherein the Hemiptera is Tibraca limbativentris.

12. The composition of claim 7, wherein the Hemiptera is Chinavia impicticornis.

13. The composition of claim 7, wherein the Hemiptera is Edessa meditabunda.

14. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a toxicant.

15. The composition of claim 14, wherein the toxicant is a pesticide.

16. The composition of claim 14, wherein the toxicant is a biocontrol agent.

17. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises approximately 0.001% to 80% alkyl ester of (2,4)-decadienoic acid.

18. The composition of claim 17, wherein the composition comprises approximately 0.2% to 20% alkyl ester of (2,4)-decadienoic acid.

19. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a substrate.

20. A method of affecting Hemiptera populations, said method comprising administering a composition containing an alkyl ester of (2,4)-decadienoic acid to a region known or suspected to contain Hemiptera.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention.

[0014] According to the EPA, Ethyl-2E,4Z-decadienoate (pear ester) (CAS Number: 3025-30-7, FEMA Number: 3148, Molecular Weight: 196.29, Molecular Formula: C12H2002) is a naturally occurring, volatile substance emitted from mature, ripening fruit, that is attractive to the codling moth, Cydia pomonella, a major agricultural pest of pome fruit worldwide. Male and female moths are attracted to pear ester and fly to the ripening fruit, where they mate and lay their eggs. Synthetic pear ester is structurally and functionally identical to the natural compound, and its intended pesticidal use is to disrupt codling moth mating behavior by attracting the moths away from the fruit, reducing their chances of finding mates and laying eggs in fruit orchards.

[0015] However, until the present disclosure, there has been no reference of which we are aware that pear ester acts as an attractant for any genus of stink bugs (Hemiptera), including, but not limited to Tibraca, Dichelops (Dicaraeus), Acrosternun/Chinavia, Oebalus, Nezara, Piezodorus, Halymorpha, or Euschistus.

[0016] A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of pear ester versus regular pheromone to attract sting bugs. In particular, a study was conducted in a wheat harvest area in an attempt to attract the stink bug, Diceraus melacanthus. During a 24 hour period, split into six blocks, it was seen that the pear ester attraction rate was, at least, the same as the regular pheromone as shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Treatment Block Regular Pheromone Pear Ester Control 1 2 3 0 2 0 1 0 3 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 5 2 3 0 6 1 1 0 Mean 1.00 1.33 0.00 Standard Deviation 0.89 1.37 0.00 Sum 6.00 8.00 0.00

[0017] As such, it can be seen that pear ester clearly has an attractant effect on stink bugs, including Diceraus melacanthus, as well as Nezara viridula, Piezodorus guildinii, Tibraca limbativentris. Diceraeus, Chinavia spp, Edessa meditabunda, and Euschistus heros

[0018] The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including the use of various pesticides, traps, and application methods to achieve the same intended effect. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.