Pheromonfallen

Pheromonfallen, literally “pheromone traps” in German, are monitoring devices used in pest management to attract and capture insects with species-specific pheromones. Most commonly, traps employ sex pheromones to lure male individuals of a target species, though aggregation pheromones can also be used for certain pests. The traps vary in design, including sticky delta, funnel, and other enclosed formats, each containing a lure that releases pheromone over time.

These traps are primarily used for monitoring rather than outright control. They help determine flight activity, peak emergence, and population trends, informing timing for interventions such as targeted insecticide applications or mating disruption strategies. They are widely used in agriculture, particularly in orchards and vineyards, as well as in stored-product facilities where moth pests may be present. Because the lure is species-specific, pheromonfallen generally have low bycatch of non-targets.

Effectiveness depends on several factors, including correct pheromone match for the pest, trap density and placement, and environmental conditions. Pheromonfallen alone typically do not reduce pest populations unless used as part of an integrated pest management plan that may include mass trapping or pheromone-based disruption at appropriate scales. In practice, they are employed alongside cultural controls, resistant varieties, and chemical or biological controls to achieve management goals. Proper handling, replacement of lures, and adherence to regulatory guidelines are recommended for safe and effective use.