Synthetic host volatiles increase efficacy of trap cropping for management of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)

Authors

• J. W. Martel, University of Maine
• A. R. Alford, University of MaineFollow
• J. C. Dickens, USDA-ARS

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2005

Citation

Agricultural and Forest Entomology (2005) 7, 79–86

Comments

This article is a U.S. government work, and is not subject to copyright in the United States.

Abstract

1 The attractiveness of pitfall traps baited with a synthetic host volatile attractant to colonizing adult Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) was evaluated in a field setting.

2 Significantly more postdiapause, colonizing adult L. decemlineata were captured in baited than unbaited pitfall traps.

3The potential for this synthetic kairomone to enhance the efficacy of trap cropping as a management tool was evaluated by comparing conventionally managed plots with like-sized plots bordered by either attractant-treated trap crop or untreated trap crop.

4 More postdiapause, colonizing adults, egg masses and small larvae were present in attractant-treated trap crops than in untreated trap crops.

5 There were no significant differences in egg mass and small larvae densities between plots bordered by attractant-treated trap crops and conventionally managed plots, but there were significantly fewer large larvae and adult beetles in conventionally managed plots.

6 Plant canopy area of conventionally managed plots was significantly greater than in plots bordered by either type of trap crop.

7 Yields for conventionally managed plots and plots bordered by attractanttreated trap crops did not differ, and less insecticide (44%) was applied to plots bordered by attractant-treated trap crops.