The seasonal activity of flea beetles in Bulgaria

Using allyl-isothiocyanate-baited traps, we recorded six species of flea beetles in cabbage and horseradish crops in the region of Sofia, Bulgaria in 2006 and 2007. The most abundant species in the traps was Ph. cruciferae (92–96%) followed by Ph. vittula, Ph. undulata and Ph. nigripes. The overwintering adults of these species emerge before the beginning of April and are active to the end of May–beginning of June. Catches of adults of the new generation occurred from the end of June–beginning of July to the second half of October–beginning of November. In 2006, air temperature and humidity strongly influenced the catches of the flea beetles. Investigations of the reproductive status of field collected females of Ph. cruciferae showed that this species develops one generation per year in the region. The results of this study can be used in integrated pest management approach to flea beetles control.     

Improving the floral attractant to lure <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epicometis hirta</Emphasis> Poda (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae,Cetoniinae)

In order to improve the efficiency of the known floral attractant of Epicometis hirta [(E)-anethol and (E)-cinnamyl alcohol in a ratio of 1:1], candidate synergist compounds for field tests were selected through electroantennographic tests using the antennae of female and male E. hirta adult beetles. Among synthetic floral compounds 4-methoxyphenethyl alcohol and methyl salicylate evoked high responses from the antennae and were chosen for further field studies. In trapping tests in Bulgaria, the addition of 4-methoxyphenethyl alcohol to the E. hirta bait in the ratio of 1:1:1, in Hungary in ratios of 1:1:0.3 and 1:1:1 significantly increased catches. The addition of methyl salicylate was without effect in both countries. A high-capacity trap supplied with this ternary attractant could be more efficient for mass trapping purposes of E. hirta in environment-friendly plant protection.     

Employing pheromone traps to establish the distribution and seasonal activity of Theresimima ampellophaga in Turkey

The vine bud moth, Theresimima ampellophaga (Bayle-Barelle 1808) (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae; Procridinae), is a pest on grape vine, Vitis vinifera (L.), and on the ornamental vine Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) and other Parthenocissus species. Its recent distribution in Europe is relatively well known, but there is a paucity of locality data for Turkey. As a consequence, we began a large-scale investigation into its distribution and seasonal activity in this country in 2008. The main tools for these investigations were pheromone traps that were baited with the synthetic pheromone of the species, viz. (2R)-butyl (Z7)-tetradecenoate. As a result of field work carried out in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey in 2008 and 2009, Th. ampellophaga was recorded in five provinces, viz. Adana, Mersin, Hatay, Kahramanmara? and Kilis. The only province where the pest was not found was Gaziantep. Theresimima ampellophaga produces one or two generations per year, depending on the local conditions and other unknown factors. The moths of the first generation fly in June, while those of the second generation occur in August. To the best of our knowledge the present paper provides the first well-documented evidence of the occurrence of a second generation of the vine bud moth in Turkey.     

Performance and selectivity of floral attractant-baited traps targeted for cetoniin scarabs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Central and Southern Europe

Trapping tests were performed concurrently in several countries of Central and Southern Europe throughout the spring and summer of 2008, to study the selectivity and performance of floral attractant-baited traps developed for catching Epicometis (Tropinota) hirta Poda (CA-baited traps), Cetonia a. aurata L./Potosia (Protaetia) cuprea Fabr. (ME-baited traps) or Oxythyrea funesta Poda (PH-baited traps) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae). Amongst the species caught, E. hirta showed strongest attraction to the CA-baited and ME-baited traps. O. funesta was mostly caught by PH-baited traps. In capturing C. a. aurata and P. cuprea, the ME-baited trap appeared to be the most efficient. At two sites in Italy, a related scarab, Tropinota squalida Scop. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae), was attracted in similar numbers to both CA-baited and ME-baited traps. For the scarab Valgus hemipterus L. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Valginae), ME-baited traps proved to be the most attractive.