Influence of Reflective Mulches on Infestations of Liriomyza munda in Snap Bean Foliage13

Abstract

Kring (1964) and Smith et at (1964) demonstrated that aphids are repelled by reflective aluminum surfaces, and this repellency was shown to be useful in reducing the incidence of aphid-borne virus diseases in squash (Moore et at 1964) and gladiolus (Johnson et al. 1967, Smith and Webb 1968). In addition, the aluminum repelled flower thrips, Frankliniella tritici (Fitch) (Ota and Smith 1965) and gladiolus thrips, Taeniothrips simplex (Morison) (Smith et al. 1972). Wolfenbarger and Moore (1968) reported that aluminum foil repelled green peach aphids, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and leafminers, Liriomyza sp., in squash and tomato plots, but that honey bees, Apis mellifera L., and pickleworms, Diaphania nitidalis (Stoll), were attracted to the aluminum-mulched squash plots. Also, we (Smith and Webb 1969) found that melon aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover, were attracted to aluminum-mulched cucumber and muskmelon. Thus, though some insects are repelled by aluminum-mulched plots, other insect species may be attracted.