Phagostimulant for improving prevention and control effect of cotton flower thrips and application of phagostimulant

Abstract

The invention discloses a phagostimulant capable of improving the prevention and control effect of cotton flower thrips and application of the phagostimulant. The phagostimulant is prepared from the following components in parts by weight: 10 to 30 parts of p-methoxycinnamyl aldehyde, 5 to 40 parts of anisaldehyde, 40 to 70 parts of ethyl nicotinate and 10 parts of a cosolvent. The phagostimulant is prepared from the following components in parts by weight: 10 to 30 parts of p-methoxycinnamyl aldehyde, 5 to 40 parts of anisaldehyde, 40 to 70 parts of ethyl nicotinate and 10 parts of cosolvent. By utilizing the tropism of the cotton flower thrips to specific volatile compounds and through the synergistic effect of the three plant source compounds, pests hidden in stamens, petal wrinkles, leaf backs and other hidden parts are attracted to a pesticide application area, the contact area of insect bodies and the pesticide is remarkably increased, and therefore the prevention and control effect is improved. Field tests show that when an optimal formula (the ratio of p-methoxycinnamaldehyde to anisaldehyde to ethyl nicotinate to the cosolvent is 20: 20: 50: 10) is matched with spinetoram for use, the control effect can reach 84.43%-92.22%, the control effect is remarkably improved compared with that of single use of an insecticide, and a good control effect is shown. The method is safe and environment-friendly, reduces the amount and increases the efficiency, and has remarkable economic and ecological benefits.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of pesticide adjuvant technology, specifically relating to a attractant for improving the control effect of cotton thrips and its application. Background Technology

[0002] The cotton flower thrips (Frankliniella intonsa Trybom) belongs to the family Thripidae in the order Thysanoptera. It is a small, widely distributed, polyphagous pest. This insect primarily feeds on the tender parts of cotton plants, such as flowers, young leaves, and bolls, and has become a dominant species in major cotton-producing areas of China. In recent years, with climate change, adjustments in crop planting structures, and changes in farming practices, the occurrence and damage caused by cotton flower thrips have intensified, rising from a minor pest to a major agricultural pest in some regions.

[0003] Currently, chemical control remains the primary method for controlling cotton thrips outbreaks. However, due to the tiny size, rapid reproduction, and strong concealment of cotton thrips, control is extremely difficult. Adults and nymphs often hide deep within flower stamens, petal folds, and the undersides of leaves, making it difficult for pesticides to reach them effectively, resulting in insufficient contact between the insects and the pesticides and significantly reduced efficacy. Farmers often increase pesticide dosage and application frequency in practice, but the results remain unsatisfactory. Furthermore, cotton thrips possess strong adaptability and genetic diversity, easily developing resistance to commonly used pesticides. In recent years, the resistance levels of cotton thrips and its closely related populations to various pesticides have been continuously increasing, with highly resistant populations even emerging in some areas. Farmers' indiscriminate increase in pesticide use not only accelerates the accumulation of pest resistance but also poses potential threats to the ecological environment and sustainable agricultural development, while simultaneously increasing production costs and the risk of pesticide residues.

[0004] Cotton flower thrips have an extremely sensitive sense of smell, enabling them to accurately detect volatile organic compounds released by plants and rely on their sense of smell to locate host plants and select feeding and habitat sites. Based on this behavioral characteristic, this invention, through systematic screening and extensive experiments, identified three key compounds from various plant volatiles that have a significant attraction effect on adult cotton flower thrips, developing a novel attractant. The attractant of this invention has significant advantages: when used in conjunction with conventional insecticides, the three plant volatiles actively attract adult cotton flower thrips hiding deep within flower stamens, petals, and leaves, causing them to emerge from their concealed positions and expose more of the treated area, significantly increasing the contact area and time between the insect and the pesticide. By improving control efficacy, this technology can effectively reduce insect population density, decrease the number of applications and the amount of pesticide used, delay the development of resistance, reduce production costs, and reduce pesticide residues and environmental pollution. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a feeding attractant and its application to improve the control effect of cotton thrips.

[0006] In view of this, the present invention provides a method for preparing a cotton thrips attractant, wherein the attractant is composed of an active ingredient and a cosolvent. The active ingredient is p-methoxycinnamaldehyde, anisaldehyde, and ethyl nicotinate, and the cosolvent is a commonly used surfactant in pesticide formulations, such as Tween or pesticide emulsions.

[0007] Optionally, the palatability enhancer is composed of the following components in parts by weight: 10-30 parts by weight of p-methoxycinnamaldehyde, 5-40 parts by weight of anisaldehyde, 40-70 parts by weight of ethyl nicotinate, and 10 parts by weight of cosolvent.

[0008] Preferably, the palatability enhancer is composed of the following raw materials: 10-25 parts by weight of p-methoxycinnamaldehyde, 10-30 parts by weight of anisaldehyde, 40-60 parts by weight of ethyl nicotinate, and 10 parts by weight of cosolvent.

[0009] Preferably, the palatability enhancer is composed of the following ingredients: 20 parts by weight of p-methoxycinnamaldehyde, 20 parts by weight of anisaldehyde, 50 parts by weight of ethyl nicotinate, and 10 parts by weight of cosolvent.

[0010] The cotton thrips insecticide is one or more of acetamiprid, chlorfenapyr, and spinosad.

[0011] The cotton flower thrips attractant of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0012] 1. Safe, environmentally friendly, non-toxic and residue-free: This palatability enhancer is based on natural plant compounds, does not pollute the environment, does not produce pesticide residues, and ensures the safety of agricultural products and the health of the ecosystem.

[0013] 2. Significantly improves pesticide control efficacy: By attracting cotton flower thrips adults to actively migrate from hidden parts such as flower stamens, petal folds, and the back of leaves, the contact area and contact time between the insect body and the insecticide are significantly increased, effectively solving the technical problem that traditional spraying is difficult to reach hidden pests.

[0014] 3. Reduced dosage, increased efficiency, and lower costs: While ensuring the effectiveness of prevention and control, the amount of insecticide used can be reduced by 20-40%, the number of applications can be reduced, the labor intensity of farmers can be reduced, and production costs can be significantly reduced.

[0015] 4. Delay the development of resistance: Improve the control effect by increasing the pesticide contact efficiency rather than increasing the dosage, avoid the rapid accumulation of resistance caused by excessive application, and extend the service life of existing insecticides. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the examples, but it should be understood that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments.

[0017] Preparation of the attractant: Add p-methoxycinnamaldehyde, anisaldehyde, and ethyl nicotinate to a container in a specific ratio and mix thoroughly with a stirrer. Then add the co-solvent Tween 80 and mix again to obtain the attractant. Mix the attractant with pesticides and dilute with water before spraying. The application rate is 15-40 grams of attractant per acre.

[0018] Example 1

[0019] A feeding attractant for improving the control effect of cotton thrips comprises the following components in parts by weight: 20 parts by weight of p-methoxycinnamaldehyde, 20 parts by weight of anisaldehyde, 50 parts by weight of ethyl nicotinate, and 10 parts by weight of cosolvent.

[0020] Example 2

[0021] A feeding attractant for improving the control effect of cotton thrips comprises the following components in parts by weight: 20 parts by weight of p-methoxycinnamaldehyde, 20 parts by weight of anisaldehyde, and 10 parts by weight of a cosolvent.

[0022] Example 3

[0023] A feeding attractant for improving the control effect of cotton thrips comprises the following components in parts by weight: 20 parts by weight of p-methoxycinnamic acid aldehyde, 50 parts by weight of ethyl nicotinate, and 10 parts by weight of cosolvent.

[0024] system

[0025] Example 4

[0026] A feeding attractant for improving the control effect of cotton thrips comprises the following components in parts by weight: 20 parts by weight of anisaldehyde, 50 parts by weight of ethyl nicotinate, and 10 parts by weight of cosolvent.

[0027] Example 5

[0028] A feeding attractant for improving the control effect of cotton thrips comprises the following components in parts by weight: 30 parts by weight of p-methoxycinnamaldehyde, 30 parts by weight of anisaldehyde, 75 parts by weight of ethyl nicotinate, and 10 parts by weight of cosolvent.

[0029] Example 6

[0030] A feeding attractant for improving the control effect of cotton thrips comprises the following components in parts by weight: 40 parts by weight of p-methoxycinnamaldehyde, 40 parts by weight of anisaldehyde, 100 parts by weight of ethyl nicotinate, and 10 parts by weight of cosolvent.

[0031] Example 7

[0032] A feeding attractant for improving the control effect of cotton thrips comprises the following components in parts by weight: 10 parts by weight of p-methoxycinnamaldehyde, 10 parts by weight of anisaldehyde, 25 parts by weight of ethyl nicotinate, and 10 parts by weight of cosolvent.

[0033] Example 8

[0034] A feeding attractant for improving the control effect of cotton thrips comprises the following components in parts by weight: 20 parts by weight of p-methoxycinnamicaldehyde and 10 parts by weight of cosolvent.

[0035] Example 9

[0036] A feeding attractant for improving the control effect of cotton thrips, comprising the following components in parts by weight: 20 parts by weight of anisaldehyde and 10 parts by weight of a cosolvent.

[0037] Example 10

[0038] A feeding attractant for improving the control effect of cotton thrips comprises the following components in parts by weight: 50 parts by weight of ethyl nicotinic acid and 10 parts by weight of co-solvent.

[0039] This experiment was conducted in cotton fields in Shihezi City, Xinjiang, from June 25 to July 1, 2025. Multiple treatments were included: single application of the pesticide and a combination of pesticide and attractant. The tested pesticide was 60 g / L spinosad suspension. The attractant from the examples was mixed with the pesticide and diluted with water before spraying, with a dosage of 25 g of attractant per acre. A five-point sampling method was used, with three cotton plants randomly selected at each point to investigate the total number of thrips per plant. Thrips population density was surveyed before application, and 1, 3, and 7 days after application, and the control efficiency was calculated. The results are as follows:

[0040] Table 1

[0041]

[0042] The attractant of this invention can significantly improve the control efficacy of ethyl spinosad against cotton thrips. Experimental data show that the three-component compound attractant exhibits the best control performance. Specifically, Example 1 (20 parts p-methoxycinnamaldehyde + 20 parts anisaldehyde + 50 parts ethyl nicotinate) achieved control efficacies of 84.43%, 91.02%, and 92.22% at 1, 3, and 7 days after application, respectively, while the corresponding efficacies of the treatment without the attractant were only 65.17%, 69.66%, and 42.70%. This comparison fully demonstrates the outstanding role of the attractant in improving both rapid and sustained efficacy. In particular, at 7 days after application, the treatment with the attractant still maintained a high control efficacy of over 90%, while the control efficacy of the treatment with the attractant alone had significantly decreased to around 43%. Example 5 (30 parts p-methoxycinnamaldehyde + 30 parts anisaldehyde + 75 parts ethyl nicotinate) and Example 6 (40 parts p-methoxycinnamaldehyde + 40 parts anisaldehyde + 100 parts ethyl nicotinate), as scaled-up formulations, achieved control efficacies of 91.40% and 88.51% respectively 7 days after application, both maintaining a high level, demonstrating the good stability and scalability of the formulations. Example 7 (10 parts p-methoxycinnamaldehyde + 10 parts anisaldehyde + 25 parts ethyl nicotinate), as a reduced-scale formulation, achieved a control efficacy of 84.91% 7 days after application. Although slightly lower, it still far exceeded the efficacy of single-drug treatments, indicating that the formulation still has a significant synergistic effect even at lower doses.

[0043] The experimental results of the two-component formulation further revealed the importance of synergistic effects. The control efficacies of Example 2 (20 parts p-methoxycinnamaldehyde + 20 parts anisaldehyde), Example 3 (20 parts p-methoxycinnamaldehyde + 50 parts ethyl nicotinate), and Example 4 (20 parts anisaldehyde + 50 parts ethyl nicotinate) 7 days after application were 85.30%, 83.96%, and 82.47%, respectively, all significantly better than the single-component treatments, but significantly lower than Example 1 with the three-component combination. This indicates that all three active ingredients are indispensable and that there is a clear synergistic effect between them. More crucial evidence comes from single-component treatments: Example 8 (containing only 20 parts of p-methoxycinnamaldehyde), Example 9 (containing only 20 parts of anisaldehyde), and Example 10 (containing only 50 parts of ethyl nicotinate) showed control efficacies of 45.71%, 46.99%, and 42.45% respectively 7 days after application. These efficacies were essentially at the same level as the blank control (42.70%) without attractants. This fully demonstrates that a single plant volatile component cannot effectively attract cotton flower thrips from hidden areas such as flower stamens and petal folds. Comprehensive analysis shows that the three components—p-methoxycinnamaldehyde, anisaldehyde, and ethyl nicotinate—must be scientifically proportioned to achieve the best attraction effect. The optimal formulation (Example 1) continuously attracts the hidden pests to the application area, ensuring full contact between the pesticide and the insect body. This fundamentally solves the technical bottleneck of traditional spraying's difficulty in reaching hidden areas, providing an effective technical approach for achieving reduced dosage, increased efficiency, and delaying the development of resistance.

[0044] The above-disclosed embodiments are merely specific examples of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any variations that can be conceived by those skilled in the art should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A feeding attractant to improve the control effect of cotton thrips, characterized in that, The attractant is composed of an active ingredient and a co-solvent. The active ingredient includes p-methoxycinnamaldehyde, anisaldehyde, and ethyl nicotinate. The co-solvent is a commonly used surfactant in pesticide formulations. The attractant is composed of the following components in parts by weight: 10-30 parts of p-methoxycinnamaldehyde, 5-40 parts of anisaldehyde, 40-70 parts of ethyl nicotinate, and 10 parts of co-solvent.

2. The method of applying the attractant according to claim 1 in controlling cotton thrips, characterized in that, The attractant and insecticide are mixed and then sprayed with water. The amount of attractant used per acre is 15-40 g. The insecticide is selected from one or more of acetamiprid, chlorfenapyr, and spinosad.

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