Optimizing Insect Trap Systems: Advances in Lures, Dispensers, and Field Performance

Dear Colleagues,

Effective trap systems are essential for global integrated pest management (IPM) programs. They contribute to pest surveillance, the early detection of invasive species, and mass trapping. While extensive research has focused on discovering and synthesizing attractive semiochemicals, trap performance depends on multiple interconnected components, including lure chemistry, dispenser design, trap architecture, and the performance of these elements under field conditions.

Despite its critical role in controlling release rate, stability, and longevity of lures, dispenser technology remains largely underexplored among these components. This knowledge gap limits the complete optimization and scalability of trapping systems across different environments and pest species.

This Special Issue aims to combine cutting-edge research on any aspect of insect-trapping systems, from novel lure development and formulation technologies to innovations in dispenser materials, trap designs, and field validation. We welcome interdisciplinary contributions that combine chemical ecology, entomology, materials science, and applied pest management.

By advancing our understanding and integration of these components, we can develop more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable tools for pest control. We invite the submission of original research articles, reviews, and case studies that contribute to this growing and impactful field of study.

Dr. David Alavez-Rosas
Dr. Julio C. Rojas
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.