Assessment of monitoring methods for early detection of three species of storage mite in bulk oilseed rape

Abstract

Two types of trap, the BT Trap and PC(TM) pitfall cone trap, were evaluated against the most widely used method of sampling and sieving for their ability to detect low numbers of storage mites (Acarus siro, Tyrophagus longior and Lepidoglyphus destructor) in bulk oilseed rape, under UK maritime conditions. In addition, a synthetic lure (2-nonanone) was incorporated into the two types of trap to assess whether its presence improved trapping performance. The BT traps and PC traps were significantly more effective in detecting low numbers of mites of all species compared with sampling and sieving. The PC trap with synthetic lure was the most effective method. As the PC trap is already widely used for monitoring insects in cereal bulks in the UK, extending its application to include oilseed rape, and to detect mites, would be a logical and cost effective extension of its use.