Successful management of Stegasta bosqueella (Lepidoptera Gelechiidae) in peanut with an attract-and-kill strategy.

Rednecked Peanutworm Stegasta bosqueella control is primarily achieved using broad spectrum insecticides targeting the larval stage. However, due to inconspicuous behavior and limited movement of the larvae within the peanut crop, foliar insecticides alone have been insufficient to reduce S. bosqueella populations. The poor effectiveness of chemical products, combined with the necessity of frequent fungicide applications, leads to an overuse of pesticides in peanuts. Given the challenges associated with targeting the larval stage, alternative strategies are needed to improve pest management. Our hypothesis was that by targeting the adult stage, the most mobile stage of the insect, we could decrease the levels of S. bosqueella damage in peanut crops while being less aggressive to the environment.