Patent Number: 6958360
Docket Number: 12901
Serial Number: 10245072
Date Patented: 10/25/2005

Pheromone Attractant for the Colorado Potato Beetle Technology Description: ARS entomologists have discovered a pheromone for the Colorado potato beetle (CPB). The pheromone, a single compound released by the male beetle, is attractive to both sexes. This discovery broke a paradigm for a female-produced sex attractant for the beetle. CPB is a major pest of potatoes and other solanaceous crops in the United States, Europe, and Asia. If left uncontrolled, CPB can completely defoliate all plants in a field by mid growing season. New approaches to manage CPB are desperately needed, as they have become resistant to many chemical insecticides, and even to some genetically-modified plants. Pesticide application for insect control may contaminate ground water. The pheromone may be used in integrated pest management programs to monitor incipient pest populations, attract beetles to a trap crop, or as a component of an attracticide. Market demand for the pheromone should be high, since CPB is a serious pest of potatoes worldwide. Companies that manufacture insecticides could use this invention. Reference: Please refer to patent application S.N. 10/245,072, "Attractant Pheromone for the Colorado Potato Beetle," which was filed on September 17, 2002. Inventors: Joseph C. Dickens     Chemicals Affecting Insect  Behavior Laboratory Beltsville, MD 20705-2350  (301) 504-5482 / Fax: (301) 504-6580  dickensj@ba.ars.usda.gov                            James E. Oliver (Same as first inventor) (301) 504-8639 / Fax: (301) 504-6580 oliverj@ba.ars.usda.gov