Composition of grandlure and dichlorvos for attracting and killing boll weevils in boll weevil traps

Abstract

Compositions and methods for attracting, capturing and killing populations of cotton boll weevils ( Anthonomus grandis Boh.) in boll weevil traps are disclosed. With respect to the attraction and capture of boll weevils with Grandlure, the synthetic pheromone of the cotton boll weevil, there is generally an increased number of boll weevils captured in the trap cylinder when an insecticide dispenser is included in the trap cylinder to kill the weevils and thus prevent their escape. Additionally, dead boll weevils are more accurately counted than live boll weevils. The compound dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate or DDVP) is the most preferred among those few insecticides that can be used in traps for killing and preventing weevil escapes. This is also the preferred insecticide when combined with Grandlure in a single dispenser to kill boll weevils or inhibit their ability to develop normally and reproduce. The single Grandlure dichlorvos dispenser provides for significant savings in labor expenses in large area trapping and eradication programs and significantly reduces the disposal of waste materials from spent dispensers.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for catching boll weevils comprising:
 a) preparing a hard solid matrix comprising a homogeneous mixture containing a polymer, an effective amount of weevil attracting pheromone, a plasticizer, a vapor releasing insecticide, and optionally a thickener;   b) placing the solid matrix in a slow release dispenser;   c) housing the slow release dispenser in a trap comprising an inverted cup topped with a cone-shaped plastic or wire mesh screen and a capture chamber on top of the cone-shaped plastic that includes the slow release dispenser.   
     
     
         15 . A method for controlling boll weevil comprising:
 administering to a predetermined site an effective boll weevil controlling amount of a hard solid matrix comprising a homogeneous mixture containing a polymer, an effective amount of weevil attracting pheromone, a plasticizer, a vapor releasing insecticide, and optionally a thickener;   wherein the hard solid matrix is placed on a slow release dispenser.   
     
     
         16 . A method for catching boll weevils comprising:
 a) preparing a hard solid matrix comprising a homogeneous mixture containing a polymer, an effective amount of weevil attracting pheromone, a plasticizer, a vapor releasing insecticide, and optionally a thickener;   b) forming a device comprising the hard solid matrix, wherein the device is formed into flat sheets, solid pellets, laminated sheets, or rectangular or square dispensers compounded, matrix, laminated or sandwiched;   c) placing the device into a slow release dispenser;   d) releasing the weevil attracting pheromone and evaporating the vapor releasing insecticide from the hard solid mixture at the same time;   wherein the weevil attracting pheromone attracts the boll weevils into the trap and the vapor releasing insecticide kills the chamber wherein the dichlorvos kills the weevils through contact and vapor activity.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of housing the slow release dispenser in a trap comprising an inverted cup topped with a cone-shaped plastic or wire mesh screen and a capture chamber on top of the cone-shaped plastic that includes the slow release dispenser. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of curing the hard solid matrix prior to forming the device.