Biosens DBM Lure - 1 Unit

Biosens DBM Lure attracts male Diamondback moths into the Water T trap. With fewer males in the field, fewer eggs are laid and fewer caterpillars attack the leaves, heads and curds of cabbage, cauliflower and knol-khol. One lure works for up to 60 days.

Diamondback moth, DBM (Plutella xylostella). The lure attracts adult male moths.

Water T Trap

Up to 60 days, depending on weather. The lure starts attracting moths within 2 days of placement. For best results, replace it after 60 days.

Cabbage, cauliflower, knol-khol and other cole crops

Place one lure in the lure holder of a Water T trap half-filled with soapy water. Fix the traps on stakes, spread evenly across the field, just above the crop canopy.

Diamondback moth (DBM) is one of the most damaging pests of cabbage, cauliflower and knol-khol. Young caterpillars feed on the underside of leaves and leave thin, see-through patches. Older caterpillars eat holes in the leaves and feed on the heads and curds, which cuts both yield and market value. In warm weather, DBM can complete a full generation in 2 to 3 weeks, so its numbers build up fast. It has also become resistant to many common insecticides, so sprays alone often fail to control it. Biosens DBM Lure acts on the adult moths, before the next round of eggs is laid. It draws male moths into the Water T trap, where they drown in soapy water. Use it in two ways: • Monitoring: the traps show when DBM moths arrive and how fast their numbers are rising, so sprays can be planned at the right time. • Mass trapping: a larger number of traps removes many males from the field. Fewer females get mated, fewer eggs are laid and fewer caterpillars reach the crop. Used from the start of pest attack, it reduces DBM build-up and crop damage, lowers the need for insecticide sprays and improves yield and the quality of heads and curds.

• 1 lure per trap • Monitoring: 10-15 traps per acre • Mass trapping: 15-30 traps per acre • Install the traps at the start of pest attack. Where DBM appears every season, install them soon after transplanting

Female DBM moths release a sex pheromone, a natural scent that calls males for mating. Biosens DBM Lure releases a lab-made copy of this scent at a slow, steady rate, along with a green-leaf odour of cabbage-family plants that adds to the pull. Male moths follow the scent into the Water T trap, fall into the soapy water and drown. With fewer males left in the field, many females stay unmated. Fewer fertile eggs are laid and the next generation of caterpillars is smaller. Each insect species responds to its own pheromone, so the lure is specific to DBM and does not harm bees or natural enemies.

1. Half-fill the Water T trap with water and mix in a little soap or detergent. The soap helps the trapped moths sink. 2. Open the lure pouch only at the time of use. Place the lure in the lure holder and close it with the lure case. Make sure the lure does not touch the water. 3. Tie the trap to a bamboo or wooden stake at a height of 1-2 ft, so that it sits just above the crop canopy. Raise the trap as the crop grows. 4. Spread the traps evenly across the field as per the dosage. 5. Check the traps regularly. Remove the trapped moths, change the water when it gets dirty and keep the trap half-filled with soapy water through the season. 6. For monitoring, count the moths caught at each check and write the number down. If catches keep rising, inspect the crop for caterpillars and plan control measures. 7. Replace the lure after 60 days for best results.

• Gives early warning of DBM attack, so sprays can be timed right. • Catches male moths before they mate, which cuts egg laying and the number of caterpillars in the next generation. • Keeps working where DBM has become resistant to insecticides, because it acts through scent, not poison. • Reduces the need for chemical insecticide sprays and fits well into Integrated Pest Management (IPM). • Protects leaves, heads and curds, which improves crop quality and yield. • Leaves no residue on the produce, as the lure stays inside the trap and is never sprayed on the crop. • Specific to DBM. Safe for bees, natural enemies and the environment. • Easy to use: no mixing or spraying, and one lure lasts up to 60 days.

• Use the lure only in the Water T trap. • Open the pouch just before placing the lure in the trap and use the lure immediately. • Wash your hands before handling the lure. Do not handle lures of different pests together, as their scents can mix and reduce catches. • Keep the lure away from water and chemicals. Do not mix it with pesticides or fertilizers, and do not spray anything on the trap or lure. • Store unused lures in their sealed pouches in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. • Shelf life: 12 months from the date of manufacture. • Dispose of used lures and trapped moths away from the field, as used lures still give off some scent. • Lure performance and field life may vary with temperature, wind and rain. • Keep lures away from children, pets, food and animal feed.