Reduction in Insect Damage to Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Sweet Corn Through Use of Electric Light Traps1

Abstract

The degree to which insect damage to vegetables could be reduced through use of electric light traps was investigated in Central Indiana from 1958 through 1967 in both small-plot and large plantings. In small-plot studies, larval damage from the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), to sweet corn ears and stalks was consistently reduced by use of blacklight (BL) traps. Corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), larval damage was reduced by light traps when populations were low, but with medium to heavy populations damage was not noticeably reduced. The use of light traps in both small and large plantings consistently reduced tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (Johnnson), and tomato hornworm, M. quinquemaculata (Haworth), larval infestation of tomato plants, while damage to tomato fruit was reduced to a much lesser degree. In small-plot trials with cucumbers including both BL traps and dieldrin insecticide applications, both treatments permitted significant increases in yields through reducing damage caused by striped cucumber beetles, Acalymma vittatum (F.), and spotted cucumber beetles, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber. In commercial cucumber plantings, however, no significant differences in yields occurred between dieldrin-sprayed and unsprayed cucumber plants, nor were there significant yield differences attributable to light-trap treatments. This disparity is attributable to differences in varieties and husbandry practices.