Vacuuming tarnished plant bug on strawberry: a bench study of operational parameters versus insect behavior

Abstract

A vacuum apparatus was used in a test bench environment to determine the effects of two operational parameters on vacuuming efficacy for an insect pest. Nymphs and adults of tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris P. de. B. (Hemiptera: Miridae), marked with fluorescent powder, were positioned on strawberry plants according to three height classes. Three speeds of inlet passage (i.e., 2, 4 and 6 km h−1) and two heights (passage at 2/3 and 3/3 of the canopy) of inlet relative to the top canopy of the plants were investigated. After vacuuming the marked insects remaining on the plants were then found using a UV light and the class height of their position on the plant and the substrate (i.e., soil, leaf, stem or fruit/flower) were noted. The efficacy of the vacuum was optimal when the inlet was passed at 4 km h−1 with the inlet at a height of 2/3 of the strawberry canopy. Nymphs were usually vacuumed more efficiently than adults. Most (64.5%) individuals that were not vacuumed did not change position after inlet passage. Most (85.9%) individuals that changed position after inlet passage experienced vertical, mostly downward, movements.

Integrating Circadian Activity and Gene Expression Profiles to Predict Chronotoxicity of Drosophila suzukii Response to Insecticides

“…Vacuuming for control of Lygus hesperus (Knight) in organic strawberries is a common control tactic [82], and better removal of the bugs from the plants occurs when the Lygus lineolaris P. de. B. are active higher in the strawberry canopy [83]. In a circadian comparison of sampling techniques for L. lineolaris adults and nymphs, chronobiology impacted sampling efficacy and peak captures varied by technique and time of day [84].…”

Field Evaluation of Efficacy and Persistence of an Insect Vacuum Device Against the Tarnished Plant Bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) in a Day-Neutral Strawberry Field

“…However, data from control passages indicate that the decrease of captures after passage of the Biovac would result not only from the removal of the insects from the plot. Displacement of tarnished plant bug on the plant, as observed in controlled conditions (Vincent and Chagnon 2000), may result from an escape movement or thanatosis at the approach of the vacuum, or may be caused by the ineffectiveness of the air draft to dislodge all the insects present on the plant up to the turbine. Although previous studies (e.g., Gaylor 1991, 1994) Ͻ 0.05; unpaired t-test) suggest that L. lineolaris is a highly mobile pest, such behavior was not observed during our experiment.…”

“…Attempts with the Biovac (Premier Tech, Riviè re-du-Loup, QC) in a Quebec strawberry Þeld showed signiÞcant short-term reduction of tarnished plant bug populations 66% of the time (Vincent and Lachance 1993). In bench test studies, removal of L. lineolaris reached 59% for nymphs and 34% for adults when the air inlet of the Biovac was positioned at two-thirds strawberry plant height and passed at a speed of 4 km/h (Vincent and Chagnon 2000). Most individuals unremoved after vacuum treatments were relocated on a lower part of the plant.…”

Physical Control in Greenhouses and Field Crops

“…Therefore, growers looked for alternate means of chemical controls. Both in California and Canada, different types of machines, airflow, forward movement, and vacuum height were tested (Pickel et al 1994;Chagnon and Vincent 1996;Vincent and Chagnon 2000). While populations of L. lineolaris were significantly reduced as a result of field vacuuming, similar to results noted by Weintraub et al (1996) with Liriomyza huidobrensis, the effects lasted only for a couple of days, necessitating repeated vacuum treatments (Rancourt et al 2002).…”

“…Misener and Boiteau (1993) demonstrated, by means of video cameras, the terminal velocity of CPB in freefall for all instars and adults. Researchers have studied optimal airspeed and orientations to dislodge insects from plants (Khelifi et al 1995b;Chagnon and Vincent 1996;Lacasse et al1998;Vincent and Chagnon 2000). Results showed that a simple horizontal air stream with overhead suction was most effective.…”