Alfalfa Seed, Insect Control, 1984

Abstract

Abstract This test was conducted on a commercial field of seed alfalfa at Lovelock, NV. Spray treatments were applied with a field plot sprayer calibrated to apply 20.9 gpa at 35 psi to paired blocks of alfalfa 44 ft × 100 ft. Untreated blocks of the same size were located on each side of the treated blocks. Located in the center of the treated blocks was a leafcutting bee domicile which contained ca. 50 thousand nesting bees. Following cessation of pollinator activity treatments were applied late evening Jul 16. Three samples consisting of 10 sweeps each were taken from each treated and untreated block at 3, 7, and 14 days posttreatment. Night counts of nesting leafcutting bees were made pre- and posttreatment in the domiciles within the treated area and one outside the treatment area. Observations of bee activity and presence of dead bees were made in each domicile daily following treatment. Forging bees (both honey and leafcutting) were counted fore noon each day in yard wide transects across each treated and untreated block.