Journal of Pest Science (2010) 83, 121-133
Susana Pascual, Guillermo Cobos, Elena Seris and Manuel González-Núñez (2010)
Effects of processed kaolin on pests and non-target arthropods in a Spanish olive grove
Journal of Pest Science 83 (2), 121-133
Abstract: The particle film technology based on processed kaolin sprays has been recently introduced for the control of the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), the key pest of olive groves. A 3-year field experiment was conducted from 2005 to 2007 at Villarejo de Salvanés, Spain to assess the efficacy of a kaolin-based product (Surround WP) for controlling B. oleae and two other olive insect pests: the olive black scale Saissetia oleae (Olivier) and the olive psyllid Euphyllura olivina (Costa). The effects of Surround WP on the arthropod community of olive trees and on natural enemies were also evaluated. In a high olive fruit fly pressure year (2007), Surround WP sprays significantly reduced the incidence of B. oleae and that of S. oleae. However, Surround WP treatments did not have any effect on E. olivina populations. Both the abundance and the diversity of arthropods were reduced by Surround WP treatment. The principal response curve (PRC) analysis revealed a significant deleterious effect of Surround WP on the natural enemy arthropod community of the olive grove. The most affected taxa were the following: the coccinellids Scymnus mediterraneus Iablokoff-Khnzorian, Stethorus punctillum Weise and Hyperaspis reppensis (Hbst.); the mirid Brachynotocoris ferreri n. sp. Baena (in litteris); different species of Orius and the families of Philodromidae, Scelionidae, Pteromalidae, Chrysopidae and Aphelinidae. Processed kaolin is proposed as an alternative to chemical control of the olive fruit fly. However, the effect of processed kaolin treatments on natural enemies should be taken into account in a rational pest control programme.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Manuel González-Núñez, Susana Pascual
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
health/environmental effects of pesticides
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
resistance to pesticides
