Flight activity of the groundnut leafminer (Aproaerema modicella Deventer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in the groundnut production areas of South Africa
Abstract
The groundnut leafminer (GLM), Aproaerema modicella
(Deventer) is a pest of groundnut and soybean and also
attacks lucerne. No information exists on the flight patterns
of this invasive species that established in the groundnut
production area of South Africa since 2000. GLM flight
activity patterns were studied using pheromone traps at
the border of groundnut fields at four localities. Flight activity
coincided with the main production period of groundnut
crops with the highest number of moths generally recorded
between January and May. Timing of planting will therefore
largely affect both the severity and time of GLM infestation,
irrespective of locality and it should also be kept in mind
when flight activity and field infestation by GLM are investigated.
Number of moths captured with pheromone traps
as an indicator of subsequent larval incidence can in future
also be used to determine the optimum time for insecticide
applications. An integrated management strategy for GLM
should be developed which integrates a combination of
time of planting (cultural control), biological- and chemical
control
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10394/17597http://reference.sabinet.co.za/webx/access/electronic_journals/plantsoil/plantsoil_v28_n4_a5.pdf