In the integrated pest management space, some use the word “Puffer” to describe aerosol mating disruption products. In actuality, there is only one Puffer® and it was developed by Suterra more than 25 years ago.
Patented and trademarked, the Puffer® line reflects the combined expertise of multiple teams. We integrated the knowledge of several workstream leaders in its development, including folks that specialize in subjects like insect chemical ecology, engineering, and deployment service.
One component that sets Puffer® apart from other aerosol mating disruption options is the reliability and engineering of its internal thermostat. This allows Puffers to emit pheromone at times that align with pest development and mating activity.
Why is temperature an important factor in mating disruption development?
From an entomological standpoint, we know that temperature is one of the most influential factors of insect behavior. Ph.D., PCA entomologist Emily Symmes has done extensive research on lepidopteran pests throughout her career. On the topic of Puffer’s internal thermostat, she shared “Each pest has its own life cycle, activity periods, and reproductive behavior. Having a deep understanding of pests like navel orangeworm and codling moth allowed us to develop effective mating disruption solutions for each pest based on its own biology. The thermostat is a critical piece of infrastructure because it allows Puffers to work at specific pest activity windows.”
Puffers emit pheromone based on each pest’s unique heat development thresholds. This means that pheromone active ingredient will not begin disrupting the orchard environment until the pest has become active and is a threat to your crop.
How do internal thermostats increase Puffer® reliability?
There are numerous Puffer® design features that the engineering team at Suterra were able to translate from grower concerns into practical product features. Precise pheromone release, drop resistance, and an all-weather exterior all function together to increase field performance.
However, the internal thermostat is special in that it adds reliability to the system, says Zak Clark, Suterra’s Director of Engineering. He recalls “Something that we’ve always kept in mind for our Puffers is that they exist in an uncontrolled environment. Weather varies from region to region and year to year, but pest biology remains the same. The thermostat gates pheromone release to a defined temperature range, which means it is only released when it is vital for crop protection. This, along with other emission testing, ensures a season-long duration.”
The temperature awareness that the internal thermostat brings to Puffers is significant. No two growing seasons are the same, and our firmware is engineered to adapt and reliably release pheromone regardless of changes in environmental conditions.
Can Puffer® thermostat technology affect deployment timing?
Our field service team does its best to ensure that growers are set up for success throughout the growing season by providing custom mapping services, deployment training, and puffer checks.
The most important benefit to growers is that the internal thermostat allows for a longer Puffer deployment window. Our Field Services Representative Manager, Keith Mioni, reports “Having a pre-programmed thermostat built in means growers can hang as early as they want, even in December or January, and Puffers won’t start releasing pheromone until the time is right. That feature also means the devices don’t emit pheromones in February or March. That delay is just the device working as designed.”
For more information on our Puffer line, contact a member of our technical team here.