Pheromone traps (sexual attractants) are a natural and ecological method used during the summer months as a complement to the endotherapy treatment. Their objective is to capture a high percentage of male butterflies at the time when they seek to reproduce with the females, thus preventing a large part of the fertilizations from which the pine processionary caterpillars will be born.
How do they work?
The pheromone trap consists of three parts:
- The first part contains pheromones specific to the processionary caterpillar (Thaumatopoea Pityocampa), designed to attract male butterflies at the time of reproduction.
- The second part is a chamber designed in such a way that it prevents the escape of the male butterflies that have entered.
- The third part consists of a bag that collects the remains of the butterflies that have not been able to escape.
It should be noted that this trap does not pose any danger to other insect species.
How are the traps placed? How many traps should be placed?
Doctor Pino will go to the area of your pine trees and will distribute the traps necessary for the treatment to be effective. The number of traps will depend on the size of the area to be treated. The process is as follows:
- We prepare the necessary traps in the 4 cardinal points of the area to be treated.
- Place the specific pheromone of the processionary caterpillar in the indicated chamber and close the lid.
- We install the trap at a prudent distance from the ground, taking care that there are no obstacles that could disturb the flight of the butterflies.
- On the agreed date for the endotherapy treatment, we will remove the trap, clean it and keep it for the following year.
Do pheromone traps avoid having to carry out the subsequent endotherapy treatment on pine trees?
No. The traps serve to reduce the number of male butterflies seeking to reproduce, but in no case do they guarantee the eradication of 100% of the processionary caterpillar butterflies that inhabit the area where the pine trees are located.
Conclusion
Pheromone traps are designed to be installed in large gardens, green areas, public parks and outdoor areas and are a way to control the pine processionary caterpillar pest in a completely natural way, since they do not use any type of chemical, which makes them harmless for people and animals.