13317: Root Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Immigration into Strawberry Plots Protected by Fence or Portable Trench Barriers
(2005) Root Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Immigration into Strawberry Plots Protected by Fence or Portable Trench Barriers . Environmental Entomology 34(4):pp. 844-849.
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Summary
Physical exclusion shows some potential as a novel root weevil control strategy, but barriers to root weevil immigration may also exclude beneficial insects, such as ground beetles. A field study was undertaken in 1997 to assess the impact of two physical barriers—portable plastic trenches and aluminum fences with Teflon tape—on root weevil and ground beetle immigration into plots of strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa (Duchesne). Barypeithes pellucidus (Boheman) and Nemocestes incomptus (Horn), each comprised 43% of the root weevils caught at the site. Most (86%) of the ground beetles caught in control plots were longer than 1 cm, the width of the gap in the portable trench top. Trenches excluded 75 and 63% of B. pellucidus and N. incomptus, respectively, without significantly reducing immigration of large (<1 cm) ground beetles. Fences excluded 65, 84, and 99% of B. pellucidus, N. incomptus, and large ground beetles, respectively. Adding diatomaceous earth to trenches did not increase their efficacy, and fences without Teflon tape excluded ground beetles but not root weevils. The reduction in the population of root weevils and other strawberry pests caused by the use of barriers reduced damage to strawberry plant leaves and increased strawberry plant survival relative to unprotected control plots. Advantages and disadvantages of these physical control tools are discussed with a view to creating superior tools for root weevil exclusion, compatible with an integrated pest management approach. Portable trenches may offer a means of selectively excluding root weevils but not ground beetles.
| Document Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Barypeithes pellucidus; Nemocestes incomptus; physical control; Teflon |
| Subject Areas: | Crop husbandry > Crop health, quality, protection |
| Research affiliation: | USA > Other organizations USA |
| Total budget (Euro): | 0 |
| Orgprints ID Number: | 13317 |
| Contact: | Bomford, Dr. Michael |
| Deposited On: | 06 May 2008 |
| EPrint Type: | Journal paper |
| Published?: | Published |
| Online at: | http://esa.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/search/article?author=Bomford&year_from=1998&year_to=2008&database=1&pageSize=20&index=1 |
| Peer Review Status: | Peer-reviewed and accepted |
| Additional Publishing Information: | This article is the copyright property of the Entomological Society of America and may not be used for any commercial or other private purpose without specific written permission of the Entomological Society of America |
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