C. Vincent et P. Lachance, EVALUATION OF A TRACTOR-PROPELLED VACUUM DEVICE FOR MANAGEMENT OF TARNISHED PLANT BUG (HETEROPTERA, MIRIDAE) POPULATIONS IN STRAWBERRY PLANTATIONS, Environmental entomology, 22(5), 1993, pp. 1103-1107
In 1990 and 1991 the Biovac, a tractor-propelled vacuum device, was te
sted to control tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beau
vois), populations in a strawberry ('Bounty') plantation located at St
e-Anne de la Perade, Quebec, Canada. Two treatments were made in a com
plete randomized design comprising four replicates: (1) Biovac treatme
nts and (2) control plots (water only). Tarnished plant bug population
s were assessed weekly by the saucer pot method. Treatments were done
when tarnished plant bug populations exceeded 12 nymphs + adults per 1
00 taps in the four replicates. Tarnished plant bug populations exceed
ed the action thresholds six and nine times in 1990 and 1991, respecti
vely. After vacuum treatments, significant tarnished plant bug populat
ion reductions occurred 7 times out of 15. On three occasions, populat
ions levels were reduced, but not significantly. Failures occurred 5 t
imes out of 15 occasions. There were no significant differences in the
percentage of berries attacked by the tarnished plant hug. The use of
vacuum devices is discussed in an integrated pest management context.