The Capturing of the Apple Blossom Beetle, Tropinota hirta (Poda) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), by Different Traps in Afyonkarahisar

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the most effective traps for capturing Tropinota hirta (Poda) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) being an economical pest on the flowers of apple trees in Sultandagi county of Afyonkarahisar province in 2010. Blue plastic traps of in the same color (Sticky plate trap, funnel plus water and large bowl plus water) and also an attractant containing cinnamyl alcohol and trans-anethol, as a commercial preparation were used in the present study. Four different selected sites were investigated to find the most attractive traps for the mentioned pest. The highest number of captives was achieved in the first (43.60% of total) and third (33.13% of total) location sites. They were found in the locations second and the fourth as 14.53% and 8.72%, respectively. Most of the adults were captured by the blue funnel plus water traps with the attractants. We assume that the number of apple blossom beetles captured in apple orchards depends upon the age of the trees and whether they are near uncultivated or grain growing areas. In conclusion, we propose that the use of a blue funnel in a cup containing water, and also with an attractant, is an effective biotechnical method for controll ing pest existing on apple trees when chemicals cannot be applied during the blooming period.