Vibrations to manipulate pest behaviours: new frontiers in pest control

Summary

The use of VS for pest control reduce pest populations, are safe (for humans and ecosystems) and are well-accepted by consumers.
Practical recommendation
• VS can be used to manipulate pest behaviours such as landing on the plant, mating, and feeding (Picture 1). Moreover, VS do not harm beneficial insects as they are tailored to a specific pest.
• VS mating disruption is a feasible control against grapevine leafhoppers, given that trellis systems are excellent for transmitting vibrations.
• VS can be applied within any crop by installing poles and wires connected to the VS exciter and a solar panel as an energy source (Picture 2).
• Novel VS pest control strategies for citrus groves are under development at CIHEAM Bari. VS are transmitted to plants by wires to reduce mating and settling of the whitefly pest Alerocanthus spiniferus.
• A VS trap is under development for monitoring the stinkbug Halyomorpha halys within economically important fruit groves (i.e., apple, pear and nut orchards). The device only needs to be placed in strategic spots in the field and will soon be available on the market.
• VS devices can be set up in the orchard either de novo or by adjusting the system according to farmers’ needs.
• Vibrational devices will soon be integrated into the farmers’ toolbox for pest control, providing sustainable control techniques compatible with other organic approaches (i.e., biocontrol agents). Indeed, farmers should stay tuned and keep in contact with VS pest control providers.