Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Small nymphs are more likely to be trapped
by sticky traps than large nymphs (Wang
and Bennett, 2006a). In a study, Nalyanya
and Schal (2001) found claims of
attractiveness of a number of commercially
used cockroach traps and lures to be
unsupported by both laboratory and fi eld
results. The same study also showed not all
lures used in cockroach control are equally
attractive, and indeed the most attractive
baits were 'off-the-shelf' foods (e.g. peanut
butter) and industrial by-products (distiller's
grain). Also, Wang and Bennett (2006b)
found the most effi cient trap only trapped
an average of 3.7% of the cockroaches per
day when around 170 cockroaches were
present in 1 × 1 m arenas.
A difference in effi cacy and performance
of monitoring devices for other pests exists.
Wang and Cooper (2011) described several
bed bug-monitoring devices that offered
alternative harbourages to bed bugs looking
for a hiding place. The monitors are placed
on or near beds or sofas. Infestations are
identifi ed by the presence of bed bugs or
their faeces and cast skins. These passive
monitors rely on bed bugs' harbourage-
seeking behaviour. The research shows
varying effi cacy and effectiveness between
commercially available interceptors, some
brands signifi cantly outperforming others.
Similarly, Diclaro  et al . (2012) reported a
difference in effi cacy of six commercially
available fl y traps for capturing house fl ies.
In view of the differences in effi cacy and
performance between various monitoring
and detection devices made available
commercially to pest control practitioners,
much needs to be done to standardize the
right protocol and methodology to evaluate
them. Research is needed for better under-
standing of the most effi cient way of evalu-
ating these devices because a host of
parameters infl uences trap catches. Also,
the fi eld of insect communication, including
pheromones and semiochemicals, is yet to
be deciphered fully to understand insect
behaviour. For example, the use of light
traps using colour, design and attractant is
one area where great disparity remains in
determining what infl uences house fl y
attraction. Most data on effi cacy is made
available in sales literature, which is
subjective in nature. The success of this
approach, however, relies on the effective
attraction of house fl ies with olfactory or
visual stimuli (Hanley  et al.,  2009).  How-
ever, the lack of common methodology and
a unifi ed method of data presentation
(Green, 2011), and the variability of data on
the environment, make the fi eld confusing
for practitioners. Although parameters such
as colour, shape and attractant have been
shown to determine catch rates (Cottee,
2004), the study by Hanley et al. (2009)
surprisingly showed that neither the use of
trap colours employed to specifi cally match
the peaks in house fl y spectral sensitivity
nor groups of recently killed house fl ies
affi xed to traps resulted in signifi cantly
improved house fl y attraction. Also, the
study was unable to detect any variation in
male and female catch rates on the basis of
sex-specifi c olfactory stimuli. The above
facts show possible limitations of insect
light traps and allow their use only in
controlled environments as support systems.
Green Pest Control
The colour and the word 'green' is
commonly associated with nature, vivacity,
life, springtime, freshness, youth, inexperi-
ence, hope, safety, permission, etc. The 20th
century saw green as environmentalism and
an environment-related movement. The
practice of pest control also used 'green' to
depict many virtues. Recent trends show,
however, a large increase and indiscriminate
use of 'green' and 'organic' in pest control.
The defi nition differs between practitioners
but generally it refers to safety, responsibility,
less use of pesticide or use of an alternative
to pesticide, etc. Currently there are no
regulations on the use of the term 'Green
Pest Control' (Wikipedia, 2013). Pest control
companies freely use the term and advertise
about providing a 'Green Pest Control
Service'. Others name their company using
the word green. The use of a green colour in
advertising company items such as logo,
service vehicles, uniform or products is also
commonly practised.
 
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