Development and Field Validation of a Kairomone-Based Monitoring System for the Cocoa Pod Borer, Conopomorpha cramerella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: The cocoa pod borer (CPB), Conopomorpha cramerella, remains one of the most economically damaging pests of cocoa in Southeast Asia. Effective integrated pest management is constrained by the absence of a robust, affordable, and long-lived monitoring system capable of detecting low population densities capable of tracking the pest dynamics over time. Previous work demonstrated that a lychee-derived kairomone attracted male CPB and can outperform commercially available pheromone lures in longevity. In the present study, we describe the development, optimisation, and multi-year field evaluation of a kairomone-based monitoring system based on this attractant. We reported improvements in lure formulation, dispenser design, and deployment strategy that resulted in a stable, long-lasting attractant suitable for year-round monitoring. Field experiments conducted across multiple cocoa farms in Indonesia demonstrate that kairomone-baited traps reliably detect CPB presence, capture population fluctuations, and remain effective for extended periods without replacement. Additionally, the trap captures were correlated with our standard damage indicator. This kairomone provided a foundation for cost-effective CPB monitoring and enabled future development of decision-support tools linking trap captures to pest pressure and crop damage indicators.
Source: Preprints.org
Language: English
Subfield: Insect Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Life on land, Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225599997