Potential to reduce the spatial density of attract and kill traps required for effective control of Carpophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in stone fruit in Australia

Abstract

Attract and kill (A&K) is an effective control technique for Carpophilus spp. attacking stone fruit but high cost has limited its adoption by growers. Field experiments during two successive growing seasons evaluated the potential to reduce the spatial density of A&K traps from three traps per ha (3 A&K) to two traps per ha (2 A&K), against medium to low beetle populations. Fruit damage in 2 A&K and 3 A&K treated blocks was significantly lower than in pesticide-treated control blocks. However there were no significant differences in blocks treated with either 2 A&K or 3 A&K traps in either season. The results suggest that the number of traps per ha can be reduced without reducing the efficacy of the A&K treatment where Carpophilus population levels are medium to low. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Australian Entomological Society.