Evaluation of insect barrier glue bands and liquid glue for the management of horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of trunk applied insect barrier glue bands and liquid glue on reducing horse chestnut leaf miner (HCLM) severity on the white flowering horse chestnut tree Aesculus hippocastanum L. Treatments were applied to coincide with the emergence of the first adult moth generation. All glue treatments (bands and liquid) significantly reduced HCLM severity compared to non-treated controls by the end of a growing season. However, treatment efficacy was influenced by the number of glue bands used and length of tree trunk treated with liquid glue. For example, three glue bands reduced HCLM severity to a greater extent than two and one glue band, respectively, while applying liquid glue to a height of 90 cm around the circumference of the tree trunk reduced HCLM severity compared to applying liquid glue to a height of 60 and 30 cm, respectively. There was no significant influence of glue bands and liquid glue applied in 2010 on leaf mine number the following year (September 2011) indicating if glue bands and/or liquid glue were adopted as a management strategy then treatments would have to be reapplied on an annual basis. Consequently, the cost benefit of glue treatments needs to be carefully considered, especially in light of the fact that insecticides exist that provide longer term control and have greater efficacy against HCLM.