The climate is at its extreme, with ever-increasing temperature variations, and insects are changing their habits. This is demonstrated by statistical data: extreme weather trends are also reported in a recent article (click here for the original) by Arpae. In this climatic context, phytophagous insects are also changing their evolution, as Benedetto Accinelli of Riff98 pointed out.
"I was struck by the article published in the magazine Ecoscienza di Arpa Emilia Romagna, written by Valentina Pavan, Gabriele Antolini, Sandro Nanni and William Pratizzoli", said Accinelli. In particular, the temperature chart shows a significant temperature change that occurred between May and June. This has negatively affected the fruit set of many fruit varieties, with consequent reductions in production.
Corn borer traps
Insect flight activity has also slowed down at first, but has since recovered, in some cases overlapping generations and making it difficult to place targeted phytosanitary measures when necessary. It should be recalled that insects, such as plants, fungi and bacteria, are pecilothermic organisms, therefore unable to regulate their temperature and whose evolution through the different phases is therefore strongly influenced by the temperature of the environment.
"The pheromone traps - pointed out Accinelli - represent an indispensable aid for technicians and farmers to verify the presence of phytophagous insects in the plot. They also make it possible to provide information on measures to be taken if the capturing thresholds set are exceeded.”
Benedetto Accinelli explaining a trap
New easy-to-read traps for the monitoring of corn borer and electronic traps to track captured insects, even remotely, are some of the new features that Benedetto Accinelli mentioned on the website riff98.it alongside the traditional pheromone traps of known effectiveness.
Mass capturing traps and innovative sexual distraction techniques, that use biodegradable hook dispensers, against various insect species in fruit growing, are also particularly used.
Contact / information:
Riff98
Benedetto Accinelli
Phone.: (+39) 335.5382197
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.riff98.it