Field Evaluation of Boll Weevil Bait Sticks in Oklahoma

Miles Karner and Jerry Goodson


 
ABSTRACT

Boll weevil bait sticks were evaluated for potential use to suppress boll weevil populations in two locations in Oklahoma. The northern location in Beckham County was selected because it historically has a low overwintering boll weevil population. On the other hand, the Tillman County location annually has a high overwintering boll weevil population. Bait sticks were placed around the perimeter of cotton fields by placing a stick every 70 ft. Hardee pheromone traps were substituted for bait sticks after every 10th stick. Four Hardees traps were placed in the center of the bait stick field and the untreated field to determine if the bait stick influenced boll weevil movement and establishment. In addition to trap catches, fields were scouted weekly comparing infested square counts.

The number of boll weevils captured in the Hardeee traps in the center of the bait stick field and the untreated field varied little in either location during the growing season. Infested square counts were also similar in fields at both locations. Boll weevil infestations approach the economic threshold only in the Tillman County location on September 9th. No control measures were taken in either field.

Placing bait sticks around the perimeter of cotton fields had little impact on overwintering boll weevil populations at either location. Employing bait sticks during the growing season cost about $15.15 per acre more than the cost of producing cotton without the bait sticks.



Reprinted from 1993 Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conferences pp. 1063 - 1065
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

[Main TOC] | [TOC] | [TOC by Section] | [Search] | [Help]
Previous Page [Previous] [Next] Next Page
 
Document last modified Sunday, Dec 6 1998