Attraction characteristics of insect pests and natural enemies according to the vertical position of yellow sticky traps in a strawberry farm with high-raised bed cultivation

Abstract

Abstract The objectives of study was to evaluate the vertical space of flying insects using YST (yellow sticky traps) trapping in a strawberry farm with a high-raised bed system; with assuming the presence of species-specific flying zone. The experimental farm used styrofoam beds (width 30 cm, depth 20 cm) placed on a supporting frame 70 cm high. Small YSTs (12.5 × 7.5 cm, single sticky side) were installed vertically around the high-raised bed system in a 3 × 7 configuration (column × row) vertically at 30-cm intervals, reaching 270 cm high, and spaced 50 cm apart horizontally. The trap positions within the second-ranking (here referred to as ‘zone’) to attract thrips were 60 cm traps above the top of the bed center (TBC), 30 cm traps above the side of the bed (SOB), and 70 cm traps from the ground on the SOB. The attraction zone of whiteflies was the same as that of the thrips except of the 60 cm traps above the SOB. The zones for leafhoppers were formed in all 60 cm traps above the top of the bed (TOB), the 90 cm side traps above the TOB, and 30 cm traps above the TBC. Aphids were frequently attracted at all 90 cm traps above the TBC and 60 cm above the TBC. Sciarid pests were mostly attracted to the traps placed just below the bed center. The zones of natural enemies (total) were formed in 30 cm above the TBC and 70 cm from the ground at the SOB. Thus, the zone 60 cm above the TBC was common position where various pests were frequently attracted with reducing a harmful effect on natural enemies. Consequently, our results could be used as a guideline for the use of YSTs in strawberry farms with high-raised bed systems until new directions are developed.