CONTROL OF VARIOUS CACTUS PESTS THROUGH ICE WATER SPRINKLES

Abstract

Taking into account the importance of finding new methods to control pests on Opuntia spp., taking care of the enviromental preservation, the effect of cold water (close to 0°C) against Cactophagus spinolae Gyll., Cylilulrocopturus birradiatus Champ.,
Chelinidea tabulata Burm. and Hesperolabops gelastops Kirk. was investigated, in Milpa Alta, México, D.F.; twenty water sprays applications, one every three days, were done. Eggs mortality of all the four species was 70-80%; larvae death of Cactophagus spinolae Gyll. and Cylindrocopturus birradiatus Champ. was 60-65%; and there was a reduction of ninphae of Cheliniddea tabulata Burm. and Hesperolabops gelastops Kirk. Cold water treatments produced migration of all the four species adults from treated plants to nontreated ones.