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Exploiting Trap Type and Color for Monitoring Macadamia Felted Coccid Acanthococcus ironsidei (Williams) and
Angelita L Acebes-Doria1, Pascal O Aigbedion-Atalor2,3
1Daniel K. Inouye US Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 64 Nowelo St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
Abstract:
Acanthococcus ironsidei (Williams) (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) is an invasive pest of macadamia, Macadamia integrifolia, in Hawai'i, causing death to macadamia trees and decreased nut productivity. Monitoring relies on wrapping double-sided sticky tapes over tree branches to trap dispersing crawlers (i.e., mobile immature stage), but this is tedious for growers, especially in large orchards. From September to November 2022 and December 2022 to February 2023, at two commercial macadamia orchards on Hawai'i Island, the use of colored sticky cards was assessed for improving the monitoring of A. ironsidei and to investigate the Hymenopteran parasitoid complex that inhabits macadamia canopies. At each study site, four different colored sticky cards (yellow, lime green, dark green, and white) were placed on the lower canopy of five trees, and on each tree, a transparent double-sided sticky tape was deployed. At bi-weekly intervals, the sticky cards were replaced and re-randomized on each tree, and the double-sided sticky tapes were replaced. The results showed that the sticky cards captured both A. ironsidei crawlers and (winged) male adults, while the double-sided sticky tapes captured only crawlers. The trap color did not have significant effects on the captures of A. ironsidei male adults at the sites, while the captures of crawlers on sticky cards were lowest on the dark green sticky traps at one site. The captures of A. ironsidei adult males on white sticky traps were generally correlated with the number of crawlers captured on the double-sided sticky tapes. The parasitoid complex captured had disparities in the attraction to color; however, the yellow, lime green and dark green colors were seemingly more effective for monitoring Encarsia lounsburyi (Berlese & Paoli), a reported parasitoid of A. ironsidei. These results have useful practical implications for improved monitoring of A. ironsidei crawlers, male adults and associated natural enemies.
Insights
Colored sticky cards offer a more efficient method for monitoring the invasive macadamia pest, Acanthococcus ironsidei (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae), capturing both crawlers and adult males. This improved monitoring also aids in assessing beneficial parasitoids, enhancing integrated pest management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Agricultural Science
- Pest Management
Background:
- Acanthococcus ironsidei (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) is a significant invasive pest of macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) in Hawai'i, leading to tree mortality and reduced nut yields.
- Current monitoring methods using double-sided sticky tapes are labor-intensive for growers, particularly in large-scale macadamia orchards.
- Effective monitoring is crucial for timely intervention and management of A. ironsidei populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of colored sticky cards as an improved monitoring tool for A. ironsidei crawlers and adult males in macadamia canopies.
- To investigate the hymenopteran parasitoid complex associated with A. ironsidei and their differential attraction to various sticky card colors.
- To provide practical insights for enhancing the monitoring of A. ironsidei and its natural enemies.
Main Methods:
- Colored sticky cards (yellow, lime green, dark green, white) and transparent double-sided sticky tapes were deployed on macadamia trees in two commercial orchards on Hawai'i Island.
- Traps were replaced and re-randomized bi-weekly over two consecutive seasons (September-November 2022 and December 2022-February 2023).
- Captured A. ironsidei (crawlers and male adults) and parasitoids were quantified and analyzed based on trap type and color.
Main Results:
- Sticky cards successfully captured both A. ironsidei crawlers and winged male adults, unlike sticky tapes which only captured crawlers.
- Trap color did not significantly impact male adult captures, though dark green traps showed the lowest crawler captures at one site.
- White sticky traps showed a correlation between male adult and crawler captures, while yellow, lime green, and dark green cards were more effective for monitoring the parasitoid Encarsia lounsburyi.
Conclusions:
- Colored sticky cards offer a practical and potentially more efficient alternative to traditional sticky tapes for monitoring A. ironsidei populations in macadamia orchards.
- The study highlights the potential of colored traps for simultaneously monitoring pest insects and their beneficial natural enemies, such as E. lounsburyi.
- Findings provide valuable data for developing improved integrated pest management strategies for A. ironsidei in macadamia cultivation.
