What is the function of a pheromone trap in pest management?

The function of a pheromone trap in pest management is to monitor and capture specific pest species using their natural chemical signals. Pheromones are chemical substances produced and released by insects to communicate with others of their species, often used to attract mates or mark territory. In pest management, traps are designed to emit these pheromones, effectively luring targeted insects into the trap where they become captured.

This method is particularly useful because it allows for selective targeting of pests without affecting beneficial insects or non-target species. Additionally, monitoring pest populations through pheromone traps can provide valuable data on pest life cycles and population dynamics, which aids in developing more effective integrated pest management strategies.

In contrast, traps that kill pests on contact are generally designed using insecticides, while repellents aim to keep pests away from crops but do not monitor or capture them. Nutrients provided to plants do not relate to the purpose of pheromone traps, which focus solely on pest attraction and monitoring.