Ethological control Thrips sp. (Insecta: Thysanoptera) and Spodoptera spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) with natural ferm in watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris L.)

Abstract

Ethological control of pests was carried out in the cultivation of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris L.), in Cantagallo, Jipijapa canton, Ecuador. The objectives of the research were: i) to determine the incidence of natural attractants and ii) to determine the colors of the most efficient traps for pest control. The experiment was implemented in an experimental design of Random Blocks in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement. The factors under study were the natural attractor types and the color of traps. The traps were placed within 50 centimeters of the ground. The number of adult insects caught per trap was evaluated every 15 days (Five / traps / experimental unit). The results showed that the losses caused by the insects were 40%. In fruit weight, the interaction types of ferments by colors of traps showed four ranges, the highest corresponded to the treatment of guinean vinegar with yellow traps with 5.85 kg. The number of healthy fruits showed that the factor types of ferments have three ranges of significance; the largest corresponded to the treatment of guinean vinegar with 3996 fruits. It was established that guinean vinegar was effective in catching adult insects from Trips sp and Spodoptera spp. in watermelon. The most attractive color for insects was yellow.

Keywords

• incidence
• thrips sp
• spodoptera spp
• traps
• losses
• ferments
• colors.