Abstract:
The pea leafminer, Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard), is a new pest in Israel and has caused extensive damage in potato crops. The method for optimum monitoring of this leafminer was investigated by placing yellow sticky traps at 4 heights and 2 orientations in potato plants in the field. Traps placed at plant height caught significantly more flies than traps placed near to the ground or 20 cm or more above the plants. Generally, there was no significant difference in the number of leafminers caught on traps placed horizontally versus vertically. Diel activity was monitored with yellow sticky traps at 1- and 2 h intervals. Peak activity in May and June occurred just after sunrise and declined throughout the day until late afternoon; there was no 2nd peak of activity. Vacuum sampling did not indicate a significant diel effect. Decline in activity in the morning was significantly inversely correlated with temperature.