General Purpose Pheromone Releaser

The release of pheromones(chemicals produced by insects) has become an important method to monitor and manage insect populations. Unfortunately, current pheromone releasing technologies are inadequate for entomologists to control large-scale infestations. Southern pine beetles,alone,cause economic losses in excess of $ 200 millions, annually, in the U.S. Spruce beetle infestations have impacted more than 2.5 million acres of forested land in South-central Alaska in the past decade. More effective tools to combat these insect infestations, worldwide, are essential for successful protection in forestry and agriculture. The purpose of this project is to develop products to dispense pheromones into the environment, in an effective manner.