Preliminary investigation of the main pests of peach trees, and their natural enemies, in early Spring
Author of the article:XIAO Ting;CHU Shu-Pin;XU Yuan;ZHOU Fu-Cai;YAO Ke-Bing;YANG Jing-Hui
Author's Workplace:1. Zhenjiang Institute of Agricultural Sciences of Jiangsu Hilly Area, Jurong 212400, China; 2. Plant Protection and Quarantine Station of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210036, China; 3. College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Key Words: peach; small pest; yellow sticky trap; natural enemies; niche
Abstract:
[Objectives] To provide a basis for
the establishment of green
control measures in peach orchard pests in early Spring. [Methods] The activity,
location, distribution and occurrence dynamics of small pests, and their
natural enemies, in peach orchards were monitored using yellow board traps in
early spring (March 27-May 13), and their spatial and temporal niche widths and
overlap values, determined. [Results] The main pests in peach orchards in early
spring are leafhoppers, aphids and thrips, and their main natural enemies are
lacewings, ladybirds and spiders. The peak of overwintering of adult
leafhoppers was in late March, and these were most active in the middle and
upper strata of peach trees. The peak of overwintering of thrips was in the
late April, with later generations alternating. Most flowering occurs in the
upper-middle strata of peach trees, and insect activity moved down the tree
after petal fall. Ladybugs moved higher in the tree after completing
hibernation. The peak periods of chrysopids and spiders were synchronous with
those of leafhoppers, and there was no significant difference in the activity
zones of these taxa. There was no significant difference in the utilization of
resources among the three pests in space, but their temporal distribution
differed; that of the three natural enemies having high overlap with that of
pests. [Conclusion] Green control measures for pests in peach
orchards in early spring should include colored plate traps hung around the
perimeter of the orchard more than 10 cm higher than the main branches of peach
trees. Weeds should be removed to reduce the base number of leafhoppers,
prevent their migration to peach trees, and to reduce thrip damage. Color plate
traps should not be used during the flowering period to reduce the capture of
natural enemies and bees.