Control of cabbage stem weevil and pollen beetle with one insecticide application

Over the course of three years (2016–2018), the effects of insecticides on stem-mining weevils [(Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus (Marsham, 1802), Ceutorhynchus napi (Gyllenhal, 1837)] were assessed under field conditions. The dates for spraying were determined on the basis of the recorded percentages of weevil females carrying mature eggs in their ovaries (timing I: the first females with mature eggs present in yellow water traps; timing II: more than 50% of the females with mature eggs present). Delaying the first spring insecticide application till timing II made it possible to combine the control of the stem weevil along with the control of the pollen beetle, Brassicogethes aeneus (Fabricius, 1775). However, the poor effectiveness of the tested insecticides on the stem-mining weevils, regardless of the date they were sprayed, indicates it is impossible to successfully control the insect pests with one insecticide application during the seasons with prolonged egg-laying periods.

Phenology and suppression of stem weevils (Ceutorhynchus napi gyllenhal and Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus marsham) in oilseed rape in northern Serbia

Stem weevils (Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus and Ceutorhynchus napi) are significant pests of oilseed rape that farmers regularly suppress by insecticide treatments intended against Brassicogethes aeneus. Recent studies have shown that in some regions of northern Serbia C. napi is dominant, while C. pallidactylus prevails in others. Increased damage from stem weevils has elicited an exploration of the situation and a study of their phenology and effects of insecticides in three differently managed fields: conventional, organic and integrated. New findings regarding the phenology of stem weevils show that both species were sporadically present in our experimental oilseed rape fields as early as during autumn (from the end of October 2010, BBCH 17-18). The main period of stem weevil settlement is the end of winter and early spring. Maximum flight of both weevil species was recorded on March 23 at the beginning of oilseed rape (OSR) stem elongation (BBCH 22-25), and one week later in the organic field. There were no significant differences in the number of settled weevils among the three differently managed fields. The insecticide treatment against C. napi was applied two weeks earlier than the usual treatment against B. aeneus and C. pallidactylus. Thus, it is clear that insecticide treatment directed against B. aeneus and C. pallidactylus is not effective against C. napi. In this way, such a practice can contribute to an increase in OSR damage, and density of the next generation of C. napi. A new generation of C. pallidactylus emerged from OSR fields in June 2011, while the majority of C. napi emerged in March of the following year.

Effects of insecticides intended for Ceutorhynchus napi Gyll. control in oilseed rape on ground beetles

The effects of insecticides that are commonly used for conventional and integrated oilseed rape (OSR) management on ground beetles were studied. Monitoring of harmful species showed that only insecticides intended against Ceutorhynchus napi should be applied. There were no differences in beetle numbers and phenology of settling of C. napi in the OSR fields that received different management practices. The type of OSR management has a primary and significant impact on ground beetles abundance. Early in the spring, ground beetles settled more massively on the non-tilled OSR field with abundant weed cover and mulch on soil surface. However, there were no significant differences in species richness between the OSR fields managed differently. A total of 22 species were recorded. Early in the spring, the granivorous ground beetles Amara aenea (47.3%) and Harpalus distinguendus (32.5%) were dominant. When insecticides were applied, immigration of ground beetles began, so that their adverse effect was minimal. In both management systems the number of ground beetles and their diversity increased after spraying. In conclusion, no significant harmful effects of the insecticides on ground beetles were detected in OSR fields managed in two different ways.

Weevils of the genus Ceutorhynchus germ associated with oilseed rape in northern Serbia

Our research of the genus Ceutorhynchus associated with oilseed rape was conducted in northern parts of Serbia (Stari Zednik, Subotica). A specific assemblage of eight weevil species was found. The most numerous were stem weevils Ceutorhynchus napi with 81% of all trapped specimens, followed by C. pallidactylus with 18%. The remaining six weevil specimens were C. obstrictus, C.erysimi, C. minutus, C. picitarsis, C. sulcicollis and C. typhae, comprising 1% of all trapped insects. Stem weevils C. napi and C. pallidactylus began to immigrate into the oilseed rape fields in autumn, as early as November 10 (BBCH 17-18). The maximum flight was recorded at the beginning of oilseed rape stem elongation (BBCH 22-25) on March 23. A new generation of C. pallidactylus emerged from oilseed rape fields in June (BBCH 76-88), while individual specimens occurred during the autumn. The majority of C. napi emerged in March next year, sporadically until May 7. As a consequence of C. napi dominance insecticide treatment should be performed earlier than usual, i.e. when C. pallidactilus is the primary target.

Effect of flight activity of stem weevils (Ceutorhynchus napi, C. pallidactylus) and application time on insecticide efficacy and yield of winter oilseed rape

During 2010–2012, we monitored flight activity of male and female stem weevils (Ceutorhynchus napi, C. pallidactylus) using yellow water traps, the effectiveness of various application dates for the insecticide thiacloprid (72 g active ingredient/ha), and the influence on yield. The first occurrence of beetles in traps was recorded after soil temperature at 5 cm reached 8°C in all experimental years. In all years, males of C. pallidactylus dominated in the traps and the times of beetles’ first occurrence. The most effective applications of thiacloprid at the stated rate were 14 days (2010), 6 days (2011), and 1 day (2012) after peak flight. Females with eggs appeared in bowls in 2010 and 2012 at first flight, while in 2011 no females were recorded. After the most effective applications, yields increased significantly in 2010 (+5% vs. the control) and in 2011 (+4%), and insignificantly in 2012 (+2%).