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Management of the Whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) on Melon by Vacuum Removal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Phyllis G. Weintraub*
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, ARO, Gilat Experiment Station, D.N. Negev, 85280, Israel
A. Rami Horowitz
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, ARO, Gilat Experiment Station, D.N. Negev, 85280, Israel
*
Corresponding author: PGW. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

The efficacy of a field vacuum unit for the management of Bemisia tabaci was evaluated on melon (Cucumis melo L.) during two summer seasons. The tractor-mounted unit was designed to dislodge insects by blowing air from lateral vents onto the plants while simultaneously vacuuming from above. Field observations, collection of leaf samples, and hand-vacuum sampling before and after the field vacuuming were used to evaluate the efficacy of removal. Bemisia tabaci population reductions were significant (30–60%) and lasted from week to week when vacuumed weekly. Parasitoid populations were slightly affected, but were not significantly different from populations in the untreated control plot. Field vacuuming was found to be as effective as insecticide applications for the control of B. tabaci in melons.

Résumé

Des essais ont été réalisés en champ durant deux ans afin d'évaluer l'efficacité d'un appareil à succion en vue de la lutte contre B. tabaci (Genn.). L'unité a été conçue pour déloger des insectes en soufflant de l'air sur des plants de façon latérale et, simultanément en aspirant les insectes par une bouche située au-dessus. On a utilisé des observations au champs, la collecte d'échantillons de feuilles et l'aspiration manuelle pour évaluer l'efficacité. Des réductions significatives (30–60%) de populations ont été observées et elles duraient une semaine. Les populations de parasitoïdes ont été légèrement affectées, mais les populations n'étaient pas significativement différentes de celles estimées dans les parcelles témoins. En parcelle de melons, l'aspiration a donné un niveau de contrôle égal aux applications insecticides.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1999

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References

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