Field evaluation of the combined deterrent and attractive effects of dimethyl disulfide on Delia radicum and its natural enemies

Published source details Ferry A., Le Tron S., Dugravot S. & Cortesero A.M. (2009) Field evaluation of the combined deterrent and attractive effects of dimethyl disulfide on Delia radicum and its natural enemies. Biological Control, 49, 219-226.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use chemicals to attract natural enemies Action Link

Use chemicals to attract natural enemies

A randomised, replicated, controlled study in 2007 in Saint Méloir des Ondes, France (Ferry et al. 2009) found lower cabbage fly Delia radicum egg predation in broccoli Brassica oleracea plots with dimethyl disulphide lures (2.1 eggs predated/patch of eggs) than in controls without the chemical (2.6 eggs). More rove beetles (Aleochara bilineata and A. bipustulata) occurred in treated plots (119 and 107 individuals, respectively) than controls (21 and 69 individuals) and numbers were highest in pitfall traps closest to the chemical attractant. More ground beetles Bembidion spp. occurred in treated plots (539 individuals) than controls (462 individuals) but this effect varied with sampling date and there was no effect of distance from the chemical. Fewer cabbage fly eggs were found in treated plots than controls (4 vs. 11 eggs/plant), but larvae and pupae numbers were similar. Fly damage to broccoli was similar in the two treatments. Tubes of dimethyl disulphide diluted in paraffin were placed beside broccoli plants in treated plots. Controls used tubes of pure paraffin. Treatments were replicated four times in 14 x 15 m plots. Egg predation was measured by placing 16 patches of eggs (5 eggs/patch) into each plot for 48 hours and counting missing/chewed eggs.