Processed kaolin as an alternative insecticide against the European pear sucker, Cacopsylla pyri (L.)

Abstract

Application of processed kaolin particle film (Surround Ò WP; Engelhard Corporation, Iselin, NJ, USA) repels insects without lethal effects; hence side effects on beneficial arthropods are low. Processed kaolin may be an alternative to broad-spectrum insecticides used against European pear sucker, Cacopsylla pyri (L.), in organic and conventional pear production. A small-plot field trial was conducted in spring 2003 to assess this hypothesis. Multiple applications of processed kaolin during the first flying period of C. pyri significantly reduced the number of nymphs compared to the untreated control. Processed kaolin protected pear trees at least as good as the standard organic insecticide rotenone. Since the effects on the summer population could not be assessed in this small-plot trial due to the high mobility of the adult C. pyri, a large-plot trial was conducted in 2004. Thereby, the processed kaolin showed a very high efficacy and the population of C. pyri was kept under a damaging level over the whole season. At the end of June the population density of C. pyri in the processed kaolin treated area was lower than in the IPM treated plot. In conclusion, kaolin shows promise as an alternative control for C. pyri in organic and IPM orchards.

Using Image Analysis to Design a Prototype Autodissemination Device Intended for the Biorational Control of <I>Plodia Interpunctella</I>

“…Repellence from powder is likely, as particle Þlms, particularly those formed from kaolin, are known to be repellent to a range of insect pests (Daniel et al 2005) and widely used as barriers in pest control. It was, however, not possible to tell whether moths were making contact with powder before alighting, so the repellence may have been volatile related rather than physical avoidance.…”

Antifeedant effect of commercial chemicals and plant extracts againstSchistocerca americana(Orthoptera: Acrididae) andDiaprepes abbreviatus(Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…Against D. abbreviatus , kaolin clay did not even exert a significant protection for treated leaf disks in choice tests. Other studies have observed successful suppression of arthropod pests on fruit plants coated with kaolin 3, 55, 56. According to these studies, a plant coated with a hydrophobic particle film barrier, such as kaolin clay, can repel arthropods not only by making the plant visually or tactilely unrecognizable as a potential host but also by restraining mobility and snaring the arthropod's mouthparts.…”

Elma Bahçelerinde Bazı Önemli Zararlılara Karşı Azadirachtin ve Kaolin Uygulamalarının Etkisi

“…Kaolinin birçok bitkide zararlılara karşı da etkili olduğu belirlenmiştir. Armutlarda psillid [17], soğanlarda trips [18], pamukta pamuk kurdu [19], turunçgillerde Akdeniz meyve sineği [20], lahanada yaprakbiti [21] zararını azalttığı bildirilmektedir.…”