Integrated pest management of Sitona lineatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in crops of Pisum sativum L. (Fabales: Fabaceae) in Western Canada

• Author / Creator

  Vankosky, Meghan Ann

• Sitona lineatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a pest of Pisum sativum L. (Fabales: Fabaceae) and managing it is a challenge because of its fecundity, migratory behavior and concealed larval habitat. Potential components of an integrated pest management program for S. lineatus were investigated near Lethbridge and Vauxhall, Alberta over three years. Cage studies indicated that larval feeding is more damaging than adult feeding but that larval populations are not dependent on adult weevil density. In open plot experiments, thiamethoxam-treated plants experienced significantly less foliar feeding damage than plants receiving no insecticide treatment but no consistent effects on yield were observed for any plot treatment over six site-years. Rhizobium inoculation had a synergistic interaction with thiamethoxam. Laboratory trials showed that Bembidion quadrimaculatum L. (Coleoptera: Carabidae) consumed S. lineatus eggs. Seed treatment with thiamethoxam and Rhizobium inoculant, and egg predation should be included in an integrated pest management program for S. lineatus.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Field peas
  • Rhizobium leguminosarum
  • Sitona lineatus
  • Biological control
  • Integrated pest management
  • Ground beetles
  • Thiamethoxam

• Graduation date

  Fall 2010

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R33P8Q

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.