Articles
Comparisons between different monitoring techniques for plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) in apple orchards
Article number
1261_25
Pages
157 – 164
Language
English
Abstract
Different monitoring techniques were compared in three apple orchards in Quebec, Canada, to evaluate their reliability as tools for estimation of plum curculio activity on damage to fruits, during three consecutive years.
Adult plum curculio activity was monitored for four weeks starting at bloom, and damage to fruits was assessed by examination of apple fruitlets during that same period.
Adult captures obtained by means of classical limb tapping or visual examination techniques were compared to pyramidal traps adapted from a trap developed for the pecan weevil, Curculio caryae (Horn) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). No single monitoring technique was found to be superior under all conditions.
In most cases (eight out of nine), the first signs of activity were detected at the same time or earlier by the trapping device then by visual examination of fruitlets.
Examination of fruitlets appeared superior in terms of effectiveness (number of activity signs detected) but trapping appeared equivalent to visual examination of fruitlets in terms of efficiency (number of activity signs detected per unit of time spent monitoring). In a second experiment, the effectiveness of the standard pyramidal trap was compared to traps of alternative size, shape, and quality.
In this experiment, flexible (fabric) traps were more powerful than rigid ones prior to bloom, and 30 cm high traps were more powerful than standard 120 cm high traps following bloom.
In light of these results, monitoring using flexible semi-conical traps is recommended early in the season to detect and locate first signs of activity, and visual examinations are recommended following bloom, to further detect signs and determine the need for control measures.
Adult plum curculio activity was monitored for four weeks starting at bloom, and damage to fruits was assessed by examination of apple fruitlets during that same period.
Adult captures obtained by means of classical limb tapping or visual examination techniques were compared to pyramidal traps adapted from a trap developed for the pecan weevil, Curculio caryae (Horn) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). No single monitoring technique was found to be superior under all conditions.
In most cases (eight out of nine), the first signs of activity were detected at the same time or earlier by the trapping device then by visual examination of fruitlets.
Examination of fruitlets appeared superior in terms of effectiveness (number of activity signs detected) but trapping appeared equivalent to visual examination of fruitlets in terms of efficiency (number of activity signs detected per unit of time spent monitoring). In a second experiment, the effectiveness of the standard pyramidal trap was compared to traps of alternative size, shape, and quality.
In this experiment, flexible (fabric) traps were more powerful than rigid ones prior to bloom, and 30 cm high traps were more powerful than standard 120 cm high traps following bloom.
In light of these results, monitoring using flexible semi-conical traps is recommended early in the season to detect and locate first signs of activity, and visual examinations are recommended following bloom, to further detect signs and determine the need for control measures.
Publication
Authors
G. Chouinard, F. Vanoosthuyse, S. Bellerose, D. Cormier
Keywords
pheromones, visual cues, traps, apple orchards
Groups involved
Online Articles (39)