Effect of Three Control Tactics in Integrated Pest Management on the Population of Potato Tuber Moth Phthorimaea Operculella (Zeller) ( Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae ) in Potato Fields .

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate IPM techniques which would reduce potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella ( Zeller ) (Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae ) , population in potato fields . Three IPM techniques , potato planting date, sex pheromone-baited water traps and the bioinsecticides were tested. Results indicated that early planting of potato summer plantation in January, significantly reduce the population of Ph . operculella larvae from four tested planting times . Sex pheromone -baited water traps. were effective as a means of detecting and monitoring the occurrence of adults of Ph . operculella in both seasons of 2004 and 2005 . Moreover potato plants in fields containing traps were statistically less infested with Ph. operculella than plants in field without traps by % reduction amounted 21.7 % in winter plantation and 27.1 % in summer plantation . The correlation between catches of potato tuber moth males and each of max and min temperature in winter plantation were significant .Spraying of potato plants with bioinsecticides significantly reduced number of PTM larvae . Spinosad ( Tracer 24% SC ) was the most effective insecticide followed by botanical insecticides Azadirachtin (Achock 15% EC ) and Soybean oil ( Naturals 96% EC ). Thus early planting of potato summer plantation in January , Sex pheromone -baited water traps and bioinsecticides may be a promising components of IPM strategies for reducing Ph. operculella population in potato fields .