MARCH 8, 2011

THE AVOCADO SEED MOTH THREATENS AVOCADO CROPS. RESEARCHERS COLLABORATE WITH ISCA TECHNOLOGIES TO DEVELOP A NEW INSECT SEX PHEROMONE LURE FOR THIS PEST

UCR researchers have successfully identified and synthesized the species-specific sex pheromone of the avocado seed moth, a key pest that threatens the thriving avocado production in the United States. ISCA Technologies has successfully adapted the pheromone synthesis for large scale commercial production and the pheromone lures are now available for sale.

The avocado seed moth, Stenoma catenifer, is a major pest of avocados throughout Mexico, Central America, and South America. The moth lays its eggs on avocado fruit and branches, and its larvae subsequently burrow through the fruit, destroying the seeds and pulp and rendering the fruit unmarketable. In areas where the moth is established and not effectively controlled, it can infest up to 100% of avocado fruit. Though this exotic pest has not yet been detected in the US, it is native to Mexico which poses an invasion risk. This has prompted government agencies to increase monitoring efforts at entry points to reduce the chance of this devastating pest being introduced and becoming established in US avocado crops.

In order to increase detection capabilities even at low population densities, University of California Riverside’s (UCR) Department of Entomology researchers carried out a successful effort to identify, synthesize, and field test the insect’s sex pheromone for use as a sensitive and selective tool for detection of the moth. Field trials conducted by the UCR scientists demonstrated that lures prepared with synthetic pheromone were effective at detecting the presence of avocado seed moth in every country it was tested in, including Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Brazil. ISCA Technologies’ chemists have now adapted the synthetic route for larger scale commercial synthesis of this pheromone and this pheromone lure is now available from ISCA Technologies. These lures will give government agencies and concerned growers a very powerful tool to detect and monitor for the presence and spread of this invasive insect, and implement timely control actions in the areas that are or potentially may be affected by this insect.

California's avocado industry is worth more than $320 million annually, has about 6,000 growers farming more than 6,000 acres of land, contributing nearly 95 percent of the country's avocados. California Department of Food and Agriculture has classified the avocado seed moth as a class ‘A’ pest (which indicates the highest threat of economic damage and priority for control) and has imposed restrictions meant to keep the moth from becoming established in the state. In countries where the pest is active, only orchards certified by the USDA are allowed to export the fruit to US.

“We are thrilled to work closely with the UCR scientists to make these pheromone lures quickly available to the people who need them,” says Dr. Agenor Mafra Neto, president and CEO of ISCA Technologies. “Many American companies would not be prepared to take the risks of the R&D investment to develop a product if an insect pest is not yet established in the US. As an American company, we place a high priority on R&D projects which are important to protect our agriculture from damaging invasive insects like the avocado seed moth. ISCA has a proud history of working closely with American researchers and research entities such as universities, the USDA and CDFA, to develop new pest management products which are species specific, economical, effective and ecologically friendly. Now that we have successfully synthesized this pheromone at a commercial level, we will continue to invest our funds, including the proceeds from the sale of the pheromone lure, into the R&D to develop other environmentally friendly, species specific control products based on the sex pheromone.”

The pheromone lure for the avocado seed moth will be marketed by ISCA Technologies under its ISCAlure brand of species-specific lures, with the product code and name IT850 ISCAlure-Catenifer. The ISCAlure-Catenifer, which can be used for detection and monitoring of the avocado seed moth, is available now and can be ordered by phone, email or through ISCA’s online store: www.iscatech.com/shop.

ABOUT ISCA TECHNOLOGIES
The mission of ISCA Technologies is to protect the world from damaging insects and pathogens by developing solutions that are economical, effective and ecologically friendly. One of the ways ISCA achieves this mission is by developing insect pheromone and attractant-based pest management solutions such as its SPLAT mating disruption and attract & kill products. These products offer a viable alternative to the frequent misuse and overuse of conventional pesticides. Transitioning to the use of these products from conventional pesticide-based crop management has the potential to revolutionize current agricultural practices. This change will contribute to a safer food supply and a more sustainable future.

For additional information:
www.iscatech.com

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