This subject came up a while back. I requested some more info and got some by
paper mail, from Bob Byers, Ag Canada Research Station Lethbridge Alberta. He
says the pheromone is probably not required, attraction being  mostly visual.
Someone asked, and I thought more may be interested.Further information on the
incidental catch of bumblebees in bertha armyworm pheromone traps.  Basically,
the researchers were annoyed to find so many bumblebees, and tried different
colour traps to reduce the catch.
 
In 2 traps at each of 2 locations, over 6 weeks (total) the following catch was
recorded:                               Loc 1                   Loc 2
Colour:                            Moths        B. bees         Moths   b.bees
 tri-colour                        171          53              305     886
 (green, yellow (funnel) and white)
all green (painted)                 80          0               100      7
all brown (painted)                 81          1                76      5
 
In another test, it was found that all-green traps were just about as effective
as tri-colour, for the moths, so that's what they use now, However, the traps
still catch lots of bumblebees. I wonder if the paint was a repellant.
 
The traps are produced by Phero Tech Inc
                        7572 Progress Way
                        Delta B.C CANADA
                           V4G 1E9              Tel (604) 940 9944
                                                Fax       940 9433
 
The 92 price list says $ 11.45 cdn per trap, all green, all white, or
green/yellow/white
 
cheers
 
 
Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist
B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
1201 103 Ave
Dawson Creek B.C.
        V1G 4J2  CANADA          Tel (604) 784-2225     fax (604) 784-2299
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