MANAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL INSECTS WITH PHYSICAL CONTROL METHODS

Abstract

Ideally, integrated pest management should rely on an array of tactics. In reality, the main technologies in use are synthetic pesticides. Because of well-documented problems with reliance on synthetic pesticides, viable alternatives are sorely needed. Physical controls can be classified as passive (e.g., trenches, fences, organic mulch, particle films, inert dusts, and oils), active (e.g., mechanical, polishing, pneumatic, impact, and thermal), and miscellaneous (e.g., cold storage, heated air, flaming, hot-water immersion). Some physical methods such as oils have been used successfully for preharvest treatments for decades. Another recently developed method for preharvest situations is particle films. As we move from production to the consumer, legal constraints restrict the number of options available. Consequently, several physical control methods are used in postharvest situations. Two noteworthy examples are the entoleter, an impacting machine used to crush all insect stages in flour, and hot-water immersion of mangoes, used to kill tephritid fruit fly immatures in fruit. The future of physical control methods will be influenced by sociolegal issues and by new developments in basic and applied research.

Efficacy of audible sound waves in Inflicting Tissue Damage and Mortality in Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Larvae

“…Pradzynska (1982) reported that ultrasonic waves successfully controlled Sitophilus granarius adults inside a wheat grain mass. All insects contain microscopic stable gas bodies that can oscillate under the infl uence of ultrasound (Vincent et al, 2003).…”

“…Hence the strategies to manage pests of stored products would primarily involve physical treatment methods, which normally do not leave behind harmful residues or impair the table quality of the produce. Post harvest conditions are better suited to physical control methods because the environment is rather confi ned and the material is of high economic value (Vincent et al, 2003). For example, Diatomaceous Earths, which have a physical mode of insecticidal action, can provide longterm protection against stored product insects (Athanassiou et al, 2005;Vayias et al, 2006).…”

Alternatives to Chemical Control of Insect Pests

“…For many crops, however, physical control of certain pests can be incorporated into established routines for managing crops. Despite the drawbacks and considering the costs, regulations, and limitations of insecticide use, physical control methods are likely candidates for inclusion in many pest management programs, especially for high-value crops (see Vincent et al 2003). Here, we discuss briefly some examples of physical control classified by their primary function: exclusion, behavior modification, and destruction of pests.…”

“…For example, V-shaped trenches have been used around potato fields to prevent movement of Colorado potato beetle into the crop from adjacent, overwintering habitat (Boiteau & Vernon, 2001;Misener et al, 1993;see Vincent et al, 2003). Efficacy of this technique relies on trench design and knowledge of the pest, specifically, the population size and the ratio of crawling to flying individuals (Weber et al, 1994;Vincent et al, 2003).…”

“…Pneumatic control involves removing pests from crops by use of a vacuum or blower and subsequently destroying them. Field crop pests such as Colorado potato beetle and lygus bug have been controlled in this manner, although care must be taken to avoid negatively impacting natural enemies (Vincent et al, 2003(Vincent et al, , 2009. Another example of mechanized destruction is the entoleter, an impact machine that is used in mills to remove and kill all life stages of insect pests (Vincent et al, 2003).…”