Integrated Control as an Improved Means of Reducing Populations of Tobacco Pests1

Abstract

Integrated control of the 4 major pests that attack the foliage of cigar-wrapper tobacco was attempted near Quincy. Florida, in 1965-66. Treatments consisted of (I) a preplanting application of disulfoton granules (10%) to the soil in control the tobacco flea beetle, Epitrixhirtipennis (Melsheimer); and the green peach aphid, Myzus pericae (Sulzer); (2) traps equipped with black-light lamps placed around the perimeter of the tobacco field to reduce infestations Of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.); and the cabbage looper, Trichoplsia ni (Hubner); and (3) applications of the insect pathogen. Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, and relatively nonpersistent insecticides, parathion or azinphosmethyl, as needed. In the preliminary test in 1965 only 2 applications of insecticide were required in the I field given the integrated treatment, compared with 17 in a check field treated conventionally with insecticides. Also, the percentage harvestable leaves damaged was low (0.5-0.7) compared with the check field (1.0-3.5). In the more extensive studies in 1966, insect damage to the tobacco in the 8 fields given the integrated treatment and in the 4 check fields given the conventional treatments was Hot significantly different. However, 75% fewer applications of insecticide were necessary in the 8 fields than in the 4 check fields.