Field testing of a new-designed light trap for mass-trapping of May–June beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in horticultural areas

• Published in: Journal of plant diseases and protection (2006) 2023-12, Vol.130 (6), p.1229-1237
• Main Authors: Erler, Fedai, Tosun, Hilal Sule
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Life Sciences; Original Article; Plant Pathology; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences
• ISSN: 1861-3829; 1861-3837
• DOI: 10.1007/s41348-023-00793-x

White grubs, the immature forms of the well-known May–June beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), are the most wide spread and destructive insect pests of many agricultural crops worldwide. White grub management in Turkey relies heavily on soil application of synthetic insecticides, with negative side effects on soil organisms. In this study, a new-designed light trap (so-called ecosav-Mns1) was evaluated for mass-trapping of adult May–June beetles in a heavy infested apple orchard located in Isparta province (in southwestern part of Turkey) during the flight period from May to September in two successive years (2020 and 2021). The trap was tested at a density of 2 traps/decare in both years. The captured beetles were counted at weekly intervals during a four-month sampling period in both years, and the efficiency of the trap was evaluated on the basis of weekly mean numbers per trap in both years. The results indicated that very high numbers of beetles were captured in the traps especially in the first year of study (118.2 adults/trap/week in 2020). The newly designed light trap captured both males and females of both species; however, in both 2020 and 2021, more males were caught in the traps. The results also showed that mass-trapping of adult May–June beetles using newly designed light trap had a pronounced effect on their subsequent larval (white grub) populations. For instance, while mean number of larvae found in the soil around the root system was 9.8/tree in May in the first year of the study, it was 3.3/tree in the same month in the second year. All the results suggested that the new-designed light trap may help prevent the root damage caused by white grubs in horticultural areas by trapping adults of May–June beetles effectively. Graphical abstract This study demonstrated that the new-designed light trap (ecosav-Mns1) may help prevent the root damage caused by white grubs in horticultural areas by trapping adults of May–June beetles effectively.