GREENHOUSE PESTS

YELLOW & BLUE STICKY TRAPS

Concerns over the use of chemical insecticides in crops grown in glasshouses and plastic tunnels, as well as resistance problems amongst the pests themselves, has fuelled the search for economic alternative products that are compatible with the increasing use of predators, parasites, beneficial insects and pollinators.

University research has demonstrated that certain insect pests are attracted to specific wavelengths of light within the yellow and blue spectra.

Agrisense-BCS Ltd has matched this spectral sensitivity in both plastic and paper traps coated with a user-friendly no-mess 'dry touch' glue. These traps are available in various sizes, both individually wrapped or in continuous rolls of standard widths and lengths. The glue is UV light stable, unaffected by water and has excellent properties enabling the retention of large numbers of insect pests.

	The yellow traps are recommended for whiteflies, the winged forms of aphids, scarids and certain other leafhoppers and leafminers. Click here for more information
	The blue traps are used mainly for the detection and monitoring of thrip species (including western flower thrips - Frankliniellia occidentailis). Click here for more information

WHEN TO USE THE TRAPS

The traps or rolls should be placed in the crop immediately after crop emergence or transplanting before insect pest populations start to build up. Where sufficient traps are installed the build up of pest levels may be greatly reduced allowing a delay in the introduction of beneficials and a reduction in the total number of introductions.

Since the traps emit no chemical and rely on colour to attract pests they may be left in place right up to harvest, giving protection throughout the season.

YELLOW TRAPS
Greenhouse Whitefly	(Trialeurodes vaporariorum)
Tobacco Whitefly	(Bemesia tabaci)
Leafminer Flies	(Liriomyza spp)
Mushroom Flies	(Sciaridae & Phoridae spp)

BLUE TRAPS
Western Flower Thrips	(Frankliniella occidentalis)

USING THE STICKY TRAPS

After removal from the outer packing, the cover papers should be removed exposing the sticky surfaces. The traps should be hung just above the crop using the hangers provided.

Where parasitic insects such as Encarsia are used the traps provide useful monitoring information regarding pest levels for introduction. The traps can also reinforce biological
control when pest populations develop more rapidly than their predators and parasites e.g. in cool conditions. Some growers have utilised several traps fixed to a moveable stand. When placed close to where crops are disturbed during routine crop management procedures, significant increases in pest capture are achieved, particularly of whiteflies. Click here for more information

USING STICKY ROLLS

Using the rolls above the crop horizontally rather than vertically with the coloured sticky surface facing downwards minimises chance capture of predators/parasites.

Maxi Yellow and Blue Sticky Rolls are coated both sides with glue and are best used bung horizontally above the crop, around the sides of the greenhouse or between rows. Click here for more information

NO CROP OR HANDLING RESTRICTIONS

There are no species or crop varieties, adversely effected by the use of Yellow/Blue traps. As the surfaces of the traps and rolls are coated with an aggressive glue they should be kept clear of foliage and flowers and away from people and pets.

For more information please contact Entosol (Aust) or visit the AgriSense Website