What is the purpose of pheromone traps in pest management?

• A. To trap pests physically
• B. To repel pests from crops
• C. To attract predators to release in fields
• D. To monitor adult pest populations and time control actions

Answer: (D)

Pheromone traps are used as a monitoring tool to track how many adult pests are active and when they’re most active. The traps release a species-specific pheromone lure that attracts the target pests, usually males, and captures them. This provides an index of population activity over time, which helps decide when to take action—such as applying a pesticide, implementing mating disruption, or initiating other control measures—and can warn you to an invasion early. The goal is timing and detection rather than immediate mass removal. These traps don’t repel pests or attract predators; their value lies in giving accurate timing data and confirming pest presence.