A TEST BENCH FOR VACUUMING INSECTS FROM PLANTS

A test bench was developed for removing insects from plants. A Biovac( R) inlet was mounted on a cart rolling on I beam rails. Field operatio ns were simulated by placing plants underneath the unit to simulate a field row. Experiments were performed on strawberry plants grown in co ntainers in a greenhouse. Mass-reared tarnished plant bugs (nymphs and adults) were marked with a fluorescent dye, then placed at various lo cations on the plants. The inlet was moved over the row at 2, 4, and 6 km/h. A 300-s search resulted in the localization of most (i.e. 99%) of the non-aspirated insects. The highest efficiency for insect remova l was obtained with an air velocity of 30.7 m/s and a travel speed of 2 km/h.