Authors: ZHU, YU-CHENG; HIGGINS, RANDALL A.

Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 87, Number 4, August 1994 , pp. 1091-1096(6)

Publisher: Entomological Society of America

Abstract:

Forage harvesters equipped with mechanical conditioners are known to cause significant mortality of blister beetles inhabiting hay. Studies also have documented that a large part of the mortality associated with the use of the sicklebar mower is caused by tractor-tire traffic over the swathed hay. Our study was designed to evaluate the likelihood that beetles with swathed alfalfa may become incorporated within and dislodged from hay during harvesting. Results indicated that the blister beetle back-to-hay effect was related to the body condition category of the beetles. Living beetles had the greatest chance of being incorporated into hay from a ground-surface position. Nondried beetles (freshly killed or living) on the ground had a significant chance of being crushed and incorporated into the hay. Dead dried beetles located on the ground under the windrow were more likely to be crushed but had little chance of being incorporated into the hay. Tractor tires running over the alfalfa returned ≍10% of the beetles on the ground to the hay. Beetles located above the alfalfa were more likely to be killed or crushed by tractor tires and to become stuck to the alfalfa than were those on the ground. Raking significantly reduced the number of beetles incorporated in the hay. Baling did not change Significantly the quantity of beetles remaining in the hay after raking. Fingerprint powder, applied to the beetles as a marker, did not alter the rates of beetle crushing, dislodging, or incorporation.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 1994-08-01

More about this publication?

• Journal of Economic Entomology is published bimonthly in February, April, June, August, October, and December. The journal publishes articles on the economic significance of insects and is divided into the following sections: apiculture & social insects; arthropods in relation to plant disease; forum; insecticide resistance and resistance management; ecotoxicology; biological and microbial control; ecology and behavior; sampling and biostatistics; household and structural insects; medical entomology; molecular entomology; veterinary entomology; forest entomology; horticultural entomology; field and forage crops, and small grains; stored-product; commodity treatment and quarantine entomology; and plant resistance. In addition to research papers, Journal of Economic Entomology publishes Letters to the Editor, interpretive articles in a Forum section, Short Communications, Rapid Communications, and Book Reviews.
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