Poplar Pest Control Methods and Key Technical Points
Poplar pests can be divided into the following major categories based on their mode of damage and the corresponding control measures: 1. Leaf-eating pests: mainly including Clostera anachoreta (poplar prominent moth), Micromelalopha troglodyta (poplar small prominent moth), Cerura menciana (poplar two-tailed prominent moth), Botyodes diniasalis (poplar yellow leaf-roller), slug moths, and scarab beetles. Poplars from the seedling stage to the timber stage are all damaged by the above pests, which feed and cause leaf defects or completely strip the foliage...
Poplar pests can be divided into the following major categories based on their mode of damage and the corresponding control measures:
I. Leaf-eating pests: mainly including Clostera anachoreta (poplar prominent moth), Micromelalopha troglodyta (poplar small prominent moth), Cerura menciana (poplar two-tailed prominent moth), Botyodes diniasalis (poplar yellow leaf-roller), slug moths, and scarab beetles. Poplars from the seedling stage to the timber stage are all damaged by the above pests, which feed and cause leaf defects or completely strip the foliage. However, during the young tree stage (1-4 years old), damage has a greater impact on growth and survival. For such leaf-eating pests, organophosphorus pesticides (trichlorfon, dimethoate, etc.) or pyrethroid pesticides are generally selected and applied by spraying at an appropriate ratio to achieve control.
II. Sap-sucking pests and mites: mainly including Drosicha corpulenta (giant mealybug), leafhoppers, and red spider mites. Drosicha corpulenta climbs up trees in early spring to suck sap from tender buds and twigs, causing the entire tree to wither and die. In dry years, when red spider mites and leafhoppers are present in large numbers, they suck leaf sap and can cause all leaves on the entire tree to drop. To control Drosicha corpulenta, before the nymphs climb up the tree in early spring, apply a ring of used motor oil mixed with organophosphorus pesticide around the trunk at about one meter above ground, 10 cm wide, to prevent the mealybugs from climbing up or to kill them on contact. If they have already climbed up, spray with omethoate or similar pesticides. Red spider mites can be controlled by spraying with dicofol-type pesticides, generally once every week, 2-3 times being sufficient.
III. Wood-boring pests: mainly including Apriona germari (mulberry longhorn beetle), Anoplophora glabripennis (Asian longhorned beetle), and Batocera horsfieldi (Horsfield's longhorn beetle). In our province, poplars are mainly damaged by Apriona germari. Apriona germari has one generation per year. On the main trunk, obvious exit holes can be seen in the larval stage (from top to bottom), with wood shavings exposed. For control, locate the freshest exit hole, insert a poisonous stick, or inject about 1-2 milliliters of organophosphorus pesticide diluted 500 times with a syringe, then seal the hole with a cotton ball or soft mud ball.