RESEARCH & EVENTS
Figure 2 . Mean percent kernel damage by almond carpophilus beetle in paired plots using an A & K strategy ( blue bars ) or control ( no traps , orange bars ). Numbers above columns show the percent reduction in damage under the A & K treatment .
From page 27 The plot size was chosen to allow for a 100m buffer between the plot edges and a central core of trees that would be sampled for kernel damage assessments . This minimised the risk of beetles entering the core from areas of trees that remained trap-free . Trapping began on 19 October 2023 and the traps were serviced fortnightly until the plots were shaken for harvest . At that point , 1,000 nuts were collected from Nonpareil trees at the centre of each A & K and trap-free plot , for kernel damage assessments . The A & K strategy reduced kernel damage in all five plots ( Figure 2 ). The reductions in kernel damage are very promising . While the material and labour costs to maintain such a high trapping density are unlikely to be commercially viable , this first A & K trial shows that the new lure has potential for use in mass-trapping . Work is needed to evaluate how lower trapping densities influence kernel damage ; how well A & K performs at different beetle infestation levels ; and how it can be incorporated most effectively into almond IPM . Strategic timing of trapping may also be important . Early season trapping for example may cause a crash in populations , or post-harvest trapping may be effective when combined with good hygiene . ‘ Trap-free ’ A & K as used for some other pests may also be possible . Here , A & K may be delivered by incorporating the lure and appropriate pesticide into a dispenser ( e . g . a gel , pellet or twist-tie ) that could be rapidly and cheaply applied to trees .
Figure
3 . Weekly catches of almond carpophilus beetle in one monitoring trap .
An effective monitoring tool Monitoring is important in IPM as it supports good decision-making by generating data on pest prevalence and distribution , and the impact of applied management strategies . With a powerful trap now in hand , we can begin developing data-driven guidelines for its use by growers in an IPM context . To begin assessing the new lure ’ s value for monitoring , traps were maintained by growers in the Robinvale region during 2023 / 24 . Figure 3 presents an example of trap data and provides a clearer picture of the seasonal activity of the beetle . The large initial catch indicates that beetles were already active , and trapping should have begun earlier to detect the first signs of activity for the season . Several instances of high catches (> 10,000 beetles / trap ) were seen after harvest , likely due to beetle disturbance by machinery and drying of the hulls . This suggests that intensive trapping around harvest may be a strategy to maximise beetle catch . A key application of the trap could be to predict kernel damage at harvest by monitoring beetle numbers within a season . To enable this , a large amount of data needs to be systematically collected on trap catches and crop damage . Plans are currently underway to make monitoring traps available to growers for the 2024 / 25 season . Many thanks to the growers who hosted these trials and who maintained monitoring traps , collected beetle samples and shared their trapping experiences .
28 In A Nutshell - Winter 2024 Vol 25 Issue 2