Advantages and disadvantages of chemosterilants

Advantage

• They are required in minute quantity to attract large mass of insect pests and therefore are economical
• They are non-pollutant and ecologically acceptable
• They are specific to particular species only and non-targets are spared
• They can be used to monitor the population build up
• They are used to misguide the insect to wrong host plants, wrong mating partner or wrong laying sites
• They best fit with integrated pest management practices
• Since they are long lasting, they do not leave any residual problems.

Disadvantage

• Attractants of many pests are not yet known
• This requires knowledge and skill to use such compounds
• Quick result is not obtained. Therefore, it can be used in short term control measures
• Sex pheromone attracts only one sex and therefore, the other sex still continues damaging
• Insects can always find untreated host, so their number may be affected
• This cannot be used as a sole control measure.