Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0983
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0983
+44 1478 350008
Four vineyards in South Africa, two from the Coastal region and two inland, with mealybug infestation, were chosen for studies to determine a bio-fix for the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Sig.). Male mealybug numbers were monitored using delta traps baited with sex pheromone lures in each treatment plot. Old sticky pads and lures were removed and replaced with new ones every week in Spring and Summer and four weeks in Autumn and Winter, respectively. This was done for three seasons (2005, 2006 and 2007), from June to October. However, to determine the bio-fix, the males were counted every week from 08-08-2007 to 26-08-2007. The cumulative degree days (°D) obtained were lowest at Farm D farm and also the mealybugs had only three generations as compared to five on the other three farms. The males had higher cumulative numbers than the females throughout the census and therefore appear to be a better indicator as a warning tool. The work done showed that the bio-fix for male P. ficus at the four farms A, B, C, D and their surrounding areas was mid-September (i.e. 13th). However, since the female P. ficus lags behind two days to the male in their development to adult, the bio-fix should subsequently be on the 15th of September in relation to the area the data was collected.
Published Date: 2021-03-31; Received Date: 2021-03-10