Combining synthetic predator and prey pheromones for integrated Colorado potato beetle management

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) is a globally significant pest of Solanaceous crops, known for its rapid development of pesticide resistance. The predatory stink bug Podisus maculiventris has been shown to suppress beetle populations, and recent work suggests its synthetic aggregation pheromone can also elicit non-consumptive effects on beetle behavior. In parallel, a synthetic aggregation pheromone derived from male CPB attracts both sexes and may enhance trap-based management strategies. In this study, we evaluated the potential of combining these two semiochemicals in a push-pull framework to manage CPB populations. A 4 × 4 Latin square field experiment was conducted using 20-foot by 20-foot plots, with two replicates performed each year over two consecutive growing seasons in upstate New York, using similar experimental methods. Treatments targeted beetle movement by placing attractive and repellent pheromone lures at specific positions within each plot. Results indicate that beetle life stages responded differently to each pheromone, and the combined treatment produced effects comparable to the deterrent pheromone alone. These findings highlight the potential of pheromone-based behavioral manipulation for sustainable CPB management, particularly in diversified or small-scale farming systems