Insect Management in Windbreaks

Plastics: Modifying the Microclimate for the Production of Vegetable Crops

“…The use of permanent (trees and shrubs) and annual windbreaks (small grains or plastic) can modify wind profi les and infl uence temperatures and other microclimate features (Hodges et al, 1994). Also, windbreaks serve as habitat for benefi cial and pest insects (Dix and Leatherman, 1988).…”

Ecological Development and function of Shelterbelts in Temperate North America

“…These species will be typical weeds of the local area, including both annual and perennial grasses and broadleaf species. With these weeds will come associated insects and their predators (Dix and Leatherman, 1988;Showler and Greenberg, 2003;Wilson et al, 2004).…”

“…Shelterbelt trees often have shorter life spans than forest grown trees because there are more sources of stress for a tree in an agricultural field than in a natural forest (Fewin and Helwig, 1988;Dix and Leatherman, 1988). Modern agriculture uses many chemical inputs.…”

Insects of windbreaks and related plantings : distribution, importance, and management : conference proceedings, December 6, 1988, Louisville, Kentucky

“…Ground surveys of many insects, particularly defoliators, are directed at the larval stage; however, detection of eggs or pupae may be more suitable for some species. Selection of a life stage for sampling should be based upon its relative ease of detection and collection (Carolin and McComb 1979) Surveying for Wood Borers Wood borers are considered to be the most destructive group of insect pests affecting windbreaks and they are the most difficult to detect and sample (Dix and Leatherman 1988) Ground surveys for wood borers, particularly carpenterworms and lilac borers, have been conducted in green ash ( Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh) windbreaks in North Dakota to detect differences in infestation levels between land resource areas and tree age classes (McKnight and Tunnock 1973, Tunnock and Tagestad 1973, Flavell et al 1978. A useful tree age classification for surveying borers is 0-6 yr, 7-15 yr. 16-30 yr, and 31 yr and older (Tunnock and Tagestad 1973); however, results will reflect differences in windbreak structure, vegetative diversity, and microenvironment , as well as age because older plantings tend to be wider (multiple row) and contain more tree species compared with younger plantings.…”

“…Although mating disruption has not been attempted in windbreaks, these sites may be ideal for this technique because of isolation from other plantings and insect populations. However, mating disruption in windbreaks may be expensive because complete saturation of the area with an attractant requires a higher dosage per tree than that needed in a forest (Dix and Leatherman 1988) . Placement of the attractant may be more time consuming in windbreaks because more releasers would be needed per tree.…”