Bean [alpha]-Amylase Inhibitor Confers Resistance to the Pea Weevil (Bruchus pisorum) in Transgenic Peas (Pisum sativum L.)

Bruchid larvae cause major losses of grain legume crops through-out the world. Some bruchid species, such as the cowpea weevil and the azuki bean weevil, are pests that damage stored seeds. Others, such as the pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum), attack the crop growing in the field. We transferred the cDNA encoding the [alpha]-amylase inhibitor ([alpha]-AI) found in the seeds of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) into pea (Pisum sativum) using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Expression was driven by the promoter of phytohemagglutinin, another bean seed protein. The [alpha]-amylase inhibitor gene was stably expressed in the transgenic pea seeds at least to the T5 seed generation, and [alpha]-AI accumulated in the seeds up to 3% of soluble protein. This level is somewhat higher than that normally found in beans, which contain 1 to 2% [alpha]-AI. In the T5 seed generation the development of pea weevil larvae was blocked at an early stage. Seed damage was minimal and seed yield was not significantly reduced in the transgenic plants. These results confirm the feasibility of protecting other grain legumes such as lentils, mungbean, groundnuts, and chickpeas against a variety of bruchids using the same approach. Although [alpha]-AI also inhibits human [alpha]-amylase, cooked peas should not have a negative impact on human energy metabolism.     

Identification of genome regions controlling cotyledon,pod wall/seed coat and pod wall resistance to pea weevil through QTL mapping

Pea weevil, Bruchus pisorum, is one of the limiting factors for field pea (Pisum sativum) cultivation in the world with pesticide application the only available method for its control. Resistance to pea weevil has been found in an accession of Pisum fulvum but transfer of this resistance to cultivated pea (P. sativum) is limited due to a lack of easy-to-use techniques for screening interspecific breeding populations. To address this problem, an interspecific population was created from a cross between cultivated field pea and P. fulvum (resistance source). Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping was performed to discover the regions associated with resistance to cotyledon, pod wall/seed coat and pod wall resistance. Three major QTLs, located on linkage groups LG2, LG4 and LG5 were found for cotyledon resistance explaining approximately 80 % of the phenotypic variation. Two major QTLs were found for pod wall/seed coat resistance on LG2 and LG5 explaining approximately 70 % of the phenotypic variation. Co-linearity of QTLs for cotyledon and pod wall/seed coat resistance suggested that the mechanism of resistance for these two traits might act through the same pathways. Only one QTL was found for pod wall resistance on LG7 explaining approximately 9 % of the phenotypic variation. This is the first report on the development of QTL markers to probe Pisum germplasm for pea weevil resistance genes. These flanking markers will be useful in accelerating the process of screening when breeding for pea weevil resistance.     

Evaluation of Legumes Common to the Pacific Northwest as Hosts for the Pea Cyst Nematode,Heterodera goettingiana

Seventeen leguminous species common to the Pacific Northwest were evaluated as potential hosts of the pea cyst nematode, Heterodera goettingiana, in both greenhouse and field experiments. In all experiments, juveniles of H. goettingiana penetrated roots of these 17 species with the exception of greenhouse-grown chickpea. Nematodes molted and developed into swollen third-stage or fourth-stage juveniles in many of the plants, but cyst development occurred only in the field on green pea, edible dry pea, and faba bean. More H. goettingiana cysts developed on fava bean than on green pea or edible dry pea. In H. goettingiana-infested soils, cropping sequences that include fava bean and pea should be avoided. However, certain legumes, such as winter vetch, may have the potential of serving as trap crops for H. goettingiana in this region.     

Early-season aerial adult colonization and ground activity of pea leaf weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in pea as influenced by tillage system

The pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an important pest of pea, Pisum sativum L., in northern Idaho. Previous research revealed greater relative pea leaf weevil abundance and feeding damage in peas grown using conventional-tillage compared with no-tillage practices. However, the effects of tillage practices on early season colonization and activity by the pea leaf weevil on pea are not fully understood. Aerial traps and pitfall traps were used to assess adult colonization and relative density of adult pea leaf weevil into conventional-tillage and no-tillage pea in northern Idaho during 2005 and 2006. Feeding damage to the crop also was evaluated. During both years, aerial traps captured more pea leaf weevil in May, when crop establishment and early growth occurred, than in later months. Significantly more adult pea leaf weevils were captured in aerial traps in conventional-tillage than in no-tillage plots in May of both years. Significantly more pea leaf weevil were captured in pitfall traps in conventional-tillage plots than in no-tillage plots during the period immediately after peak aerial adult colonization in late May and early June. Crop feeding damage was significantly greater in conventional-tillage than in no-tillage plots in late May and early June. The patterns suggest that more adult pea leaf weevil colonize conventional-tillage pea than no-tillage pea. Pea plants in conventional-tillage emerged earlier and were larger than those in no-tillage during the pea leaf weevil colonization period, possibly accounting for the differences in colonization rates. This leads to greater early season pea leaf weevil infestation of conventional-tillage plots at a critical period for pea development that might ultimately influence crop yield.     

The efficiency of a durum wheat-winter pea intercrop to improve yield and wheat grain protein concentration depends on N availability during early growth

Grain protein concentration of durum wheat is often too low, particularly in low-N-input systems. The aim of our study was to test whether a durum wheat-winter pea intercrop can improve relative yield and durum wheat grain protein concentration in low-N-input systems. A 2-year field experiment was carried out in SW France with different fertilizer-N levels to compare wheat (Triticum turgidum L., cv. Nefer) and pea (winter pea, Pisum sativum L., cv. Lucy) grown as sole crops or intercrops in a row-substitutive design. Without N fertilization or when N was applied late (N available until pea flowering less than about 120 kg N ha^?1), intercrops were up to 19% more efficient than sole crops for yield and up to 32% for accumulated N, but were less efficient with large fertilizer N applications. Wheat grain protein concentration was significantly higher in intercrops than in sole crops (14% on average) because more N was remobilized into wheat grain due to: i) fewer ears per square metre in intercrops and ii) a similar amount of available soil N as in sole crops due to the high pea N₂ fixation rate in intercrops (88% compared to 58% in sole crops).     

Response of Pisum sativum (Fabales: Fabaceae) to Sitona lineatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) infestation: effect of adult weevil density on damage, larval population, and yield loss

Sitona lineatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an invasive pest in North America and its geographical range is currently expanding across the Canadian prairies. Adults and larvae of S. lineatus feed upon the foliage and root nodules, respectively, of field pea, Pisum sativum L. (Fabales: Fabaceae), and may contribute to economic losses when population densities are high. Integrated pest management (IPM) programs that incorporate economic thresholds should be used to manage S. lineatus populations in a sustainable manner. The impact of nitrogen fertilizer on field pea yield and the relationships between adult weevil density and above- and below-ground damage and yield were investigated in southern Alberta, Canada using exclusion cages on field pea plots. In each cage, 32 field pea plants were exposed to weevil densities ranging from zero to one adult weevil per plant. Nitrogen-fertilized plants yielded 16% more than unfertilized plants. Nitrogen-fertilized plants had fewer root nodules than unfertilized plants, but fertilizer had no effect on foliar feeding by S. lineatus. Adult density affected foliar feeding damage, with increases in above-ground damage associated with increases in S. lineatus density. Adult density did not affect root nodule damage, larval density, foliar biomass or seed weight. Overall, these results indicate that terminal leaf damage may be used to estimate adult weevil density but cannot be used to predict larval density or yield loss. Further research is required to better understand the impact of larval damage on yield and determine if economic thresholds can be developed using data from large-scale production systems.     

Effect of a trypsin inhibitor from Dimorphandra mollis seeds on the development of Callosobruchus maculatus

Bruchid larvae cause major losses in grain legume crops throughout the world. Some bruchid species, such as the cowpea weevil, are pests that damage stored seeds. Plants synthesize a variety of molecules, including proteinaceous proteinase inhibitors, to defend themselves against attack by insects. In this work, a trypsin inhibitor (DMTI-II) isolated from Dimorphandra mollis seeds was tested for anti-insect activity against Callosobruchus maculatus larvae. The inhibitor produced ca. 67% mortality to this bruchid when incorporated into an artificial diet at a level of 1%. The doses necessary to cause 50% mortality (LD₅₀) and to reduce weight by 50% (ED₅₀) for DMTI-II were ca. 0.50% and 0.60%, respectively. The action of DMTI-II on C. maculatus larvae may involve the inhibition of trypsin-like activity of larval midgut extracts, the absence of digestion by midgut preparations or with a mixture of pepsin and papain, and its association with a chitin column and chitinous structure in the midgut of this insect.     

Response to water deficit and high temperature of transgenic peas (Pisum sativum L.) containing a seed-specific alpha-amylase inhibitor and the subsequent effects on pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum L.) survival

The effects of water deficit and high temperature on the production of alpha-amylase inhibitor 1 (alpha-AI-1) were studied in transgenic peas (Pisum sativum L.) that were developed to control the seed-feeding pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum L., Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Transgenic and non-transgenic plants were subjected to water-deficit and high-temperature treatments under controlled conditions in the glasshouse and growth cabinet, beginning 1 week after the first pods were formed. In the water-deficit treatments, the peas were either adequately watered (control) or water was withheld after first pod formation. The high-temperature experiments were performed in two growth cabinets, one maintained at 27/22 degrees C (control) and one at 32/27 degrees C day/night temperatures, with the vapour pressure deficit maintained at 1.3 kPa. The plants exposure to high temperatures and water deficit produced 27% and 79% fewer seeds, respectively, than the controls. In the transgenic peas the level of alpha-AI-1 as a percentage of total protein was not influenced by water stress, but was reduced on average by 36.3% (the range in two experiments was 11-50%) in the high-temperature treatment. Transgenic and non-transgenic pods of plants grown at 27/22 degrees C and 32/27 degrees C were inoculated with pea weevil eggs to evaluate whether the reduction in level of alpha-AI-1 in the transgenic pea seeds affected pea weevil development and survival. At the higher temperatures, 39% of adult pea weevil emerged, compared to 1.2% in the transgenic peas grown at the lower temperatures, indicating that high temperature reduced the protective capacity of the transgenic peas.     

Feeding preferences of the weevils Sitona gressorius and Sitona griseus on different lupin genotypes and the role of alkaloids

The weevils Sitona gressorius and Sitona griseus are specialist herbivores on lupins in Europe. The adult weevils feed on the leaves, and the larvae on the root nodules of the plants. This causes severe damage to lupin crops. In the present study, the feeding preferences of lupin weevil adults on different lupin genotypes were examined with respect to a possible effect of lupin alkaloids on host selection. A total of 12 genotypes from the species Lupinus albus, L. angustifolius, L. luteus, and L. nanus were grown in a field experiment and the feeding damage on the leaves caused by naturally occurring lupin weevil adults was estimated. Additionally, a feeding choice test with S. gressorius adults was performed to examine feeding preferences under laboratory conditions. A gas chromatographic analysis provided information on the alkaloid content and profiles in the leaves of the tested lupin genotypes. In the field experiment, significant differences in the extent of the feeding damage within the 12 lupin genotypes were observed. The dual-choice feeding bioassay did not show discrimination of lupin species, but two L. angustifolius genotypes were significantly less affected than the standard L. luteus “Bornal”. The alkaloid analysis revealed large contrasts in alkaloid concentrations and profiles in the leaves of the tested genotypes. Correlation analysis with the results from the field and laboratory did not indicate a significant influence of the total foliar alkaloid content on the extent of weevil feeding.     

Overwintering conditions affect cold hardiness,survival, and post-overwintering fitness of the pea leaf weevil

Overwintering conditions affect the physiological state of ectotherms, and therefore, their cold hardiness and survival. A measure of the lethal and sublethal impacts of overwintering conditions on pest populations is crucial to predict population dynamics and to manage pests the following spring. The impact of winter conditions can be most intense for invasive insects undergoing range expansion. Insect herbivores can display plastic host use behaviours that depend on their body condition following winter. The pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an invasive pest of field peas, Pisum sativum L., and faba bean, Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae). Pea leaf weevil has expanded its range in North America to include the Prairie Provinces of Canada. This study investigated the effects of temperature and microhabitat on overwintering survival and cold hardiness of pea leaf weevil in its expanded range. Further, we investigated the sublethal effect of overwintering temperature and duration on post-overwintering survival, feeding, and oviposition of pea leaf weevil. We also investigated the role of juvenile hormone in modulating body condition of overwintering weevils. The overwintering survival of pea leaf weevil adults increased with soil temperature and varied with region and microhabitat. More weevils survived winters when positioned near tree shelterbelts compared to open alfalfa fields. The supercooling point of pea leaf weevil varied throughout its expanding range but did not differ for weevils held in the two microhabitats. The average threshold lethal temperature of pea leaf weevil at all three sites was −9.4 °C. Weevils that overwintered for a longer duration and at a higher temperature subsequently fed more on faba bean foliage and laid more eggs compared to those which overwintered for a shorter duration at a lower temperature. Our findings highlight that warm winters would increase overwintering survival and post-overwintering fitness, facilitating further pea leaf weevil invasion northward in the Prairie Provinces of Canada.     

Development and Harmfulness of the Pea Weevil,Bruchus pisorum (L.), in the Forest-Steppe of the Middle Volga Region

Entomological Review - This paper summarizes data on seasonal development and fecundity of the pea weevil Bruchus pisorum L., its impact on the chemical composition of the pea seeds, damage to...     

Evaluation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nastus fausti</Emphasis> Reitter (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Nastini) for biological control of invasive giant hogweeds (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Heracleum</Emphasis> spp.)

The weevil Nastus fausti Reitter (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) was evaluated for its potential in the biological control of invasive giant hogweeds (Heracleum spp.). Quantitative sampling suggested that at a high population density (more that 3–4 mature larvae per plant) damage by N. fausti larvae could have some negative impact on the above-ground part of the plant. However, no-choice laboratory tests showed that N. fausti females were able to feed on a number of Apiaceae genera, including such important cultivated crops as carrot, parsnip, and celeriac. Feeding on these plants did not cause any significant decrease in female survival or fecundity. Moreover, at least part of N. fausti larvae may feed and develop on roots of these plants, and the rate of their growth and development does not differ significantly from that in larvae fed on roots of H. mantegazzianum. N. fausti adult and larval feeding on Angelica purpurascens, representative of related genus of the same tribe, was recorded under natural conditions, too. In combination, these data suggest that N. fausti is an oligophagous species connected with plants from at least several genera of Apiaceae and thus it cannot be considered a potential agent for biological control of invasive Heracleum species.     

Resistance of Maize Landraces to the Maize Weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. is an important pest of maize that attacks the grain both in the field and during storage. The damage caused by the maize weevil S. zeamais on maize landraces, Amarelo Antigo, Asteca, Caiano, Carioca, and Ferrinho, was evaluated by no-choice tests under laboratory conditions. The commercial varieties Sol da Manh?, BR 106, BR 451, and the synthetics PC 0203 and PC 9903 were evaluated for comparisons with the maize landraces. The parameters evaluated were susceptibility index, number of weevil progeny, development time, weevil progeny dry weight, and grain dry weight loss. The landraces were more susceptible to the maize weevil as compared to the commercial varieties. Based on the cluster analysis, two groups of susceptibility to the maize weevil were observed: one of more susceptible populations formed by local landraces and BR 451, and another less susceptible, with commercial varieties, synthetics, and the landrace Amarelo.     

Expression of a synthetic cry1AcF gene in transgenic Pigeon pea confers resistance to Helicoverpa armigera

Pigeon pea is an important legume. Yield losses due to insect pests are enormous in the cultivation of this crop. Expression of cry proteins has led to increased resistance to pests in several crops. We report in this paper, expression of a chimeric cry1AcF (encoding cry1Ac and cry1F domains) gene in transgenic pigeon pea and its resistance towards Helicoverpa armigera. PCR, Southern hybridization, RT‐PCR and Western analysis confirmed stable integration and expression of the cry1AcF gene in pigeon pea transgenics. When screened for efficacy of the transformants for resistance against H. armigera, the transgenics showed not only high mortality of the larva but could also resist the damage caused by the larvae. Analysis for the stable integration, expression and efficacy of the transgenics resulted in the identification of four T3 plants arising from two T1 backgrounds as highly promising. The results demonstrate potentiality of the chimeric cry1AcF gene in developing H. armigera‐resistant pigeon pea.     

Early nut development as a resistance factor to the attacks of Curculio nucum (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The nut weevil Curculio nucum (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is responsible for high yield losses in several hazelnut‐growing areas of Europe and Turkey, if not regularly controlled using pesticides. The resistance of hazelnut varieties to the nut weevil is known but poorly investigated so far. Thus a 2‐year study was carried out to investigate factors affecting C. nucum attacks on two cultivars [Tonda Gentile delle Langhe (TGL), Ennis] and four selections (Daria, 101, B6, L35) in a 15‐year‐old orchard of northwestern Italy. Nut developmental stages and shell characteristics, such as hardness and thickness, were measured and correlated to the biological cycle of the nut weevil and to the damage by its larvae. During the 2‐year sampling, nut weevil adults were collected on all cultivars and selections, but in greater quantities on TGL and Daria, and in lower quantities on 101 and B6. In 2005, by female dissection, mature eggs were observed from late June, when the mean temperature exceeded 18°C. Differences between cultivars and selections were found in nut and kernel development, and in shell hardening; in particular, the kernel development was directly related with the shell hardness. At harvest, the damage varied on average from 2.57% in cultivar TGL to 51.84% in selection 101 of total nuts harvested, so independently of the numbers of the collected weevil adults. These two varieties were the earliest and the latest in kernel development and shell hardening, respectively. Therefore, the susceptibility to nut weevil attacks was strictly related to shell hardening; in fact, a rapid hardening of the shell can hamper the oviposition of C. nucum females. By contrast, no correlation was found between shell thickness and damage at harvest.     

Talisia esculenta lectin and larval development of Callosobruchus maculatus and Zabrotes subfasciatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Bruchid larvae cause major losses in grain legume crops throughout the world. Some bruchid species, such as the cowpea weevil and the Mexican bean weevil, are pests that damage stored seeds. Plant lectins have been implicated as antibiosis factors against insects, particularly the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus. Talisia esculenta lectin (TEL) was tested for anti-insect activity against C. maculatus and Zabrotes subfasciatus larvae. TEL produced ca. 90% mortality to these bruchids when incorporated in an artificial diet at a level of 2% (w/w). The LD(50) and ED(50) for TEL was ca. 1% (w/w) for both insects. TEL was not digested by midgut preparations of C. maculatus and Z. subfasciatus. The transformation of the genes coding for this lectin could be useful in the development of insect resistance in important agricultural crops.     

Reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita on Winter Cover Crops Used in Cotton Production

Substantial reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita on winter cover crops may lead to damaging populations in a subsequent cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) crop. The amount of population increase during the winter depends on soil temperature and the host status of the cover crop. Our objectives were to quantify M. incognita race 3 reproduction on rye (Secale cereale) and several leguminous cover crops and to determine if these cover crops increase population densities of M. incognita and subsequent damage to cotton. The cover crops tested were ‘Bigbee’ berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum), ‘Paradana’ balansa clover (T. balansae), ‘AU Sunrise’ and ‘Dixie’ crimson clover (T. incarnatum), ‘Cherokee’ red clover (T. pratense), common and ‘AU Early Cover’ hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), ‘Cahaba White’ vetch (V. sativa), and ‘Wrens Abruzzi’ rye. In the greenhouse tests, egg production was greatest on berseem clover, Dixie crimson clover, AU Early Cover hairy vetch, and common hairy vetch; intermediate on Balansa clover and AU Sunrise crimson clover; and least on rye, Cahaba White vetch, and Cherokee red clover. In both 2002 and 2003 field tests, enough heat units were accumulated between 1 January and 20 May for the nematode to complete two generations. Both AU Early Cover and common hairy vetch led to greater root galling than fallow in the subsequent cotton crop; they also supported high reproduction of M. incognita in the greenhouse. Rye and Cahaba White vetch did not increase root galling on cotton and were relatively poor hosts for M. incognita. Only those legumes that increased populations of M. incognita reduced cotton yield. In the southern US, M. incognita can complete one to two generations on a susceptible winter cover crop, so cover crops that support high nematode reproduction may lead to damage and yield losses in the following cotton crop. Planting rye or Meloidogyne-resistant legumes as winter cover crops will lower the risk of increased nematode populations compared to most vetches and clovers.     

Nitrogen accumulation in plant tissues and roots and N mineralization under oilseeds, pulses, and spring wheat

To understand how pulse and oilseed crops might use nitrogen (N) more efficiently under varying levels of water and N availability in soil, we conducted a 2-year field study to monitor N accumulation in aboveground (AG-N) and root material at five growth stages, for canola (Brassica napus L.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), dry pea (Pisum sativum L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris Medicum) alongside spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Crops were grown in lysimeters (15 cm diameter × 100 cm deep) installed in the field in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. AG-N in all crops was greater under high-water than under low-water conditions. In oilseeds and wheat, AG-N increased until flowering then tended to level off, while in pulses it increased gradually to maturity. At maturity, dry pea and wheat had the greatest AG-N and mustard the least. Enhanced water availability increased seed N but did not affect straw N; consequently, N harvest index was greater under high-water than under low-water conditions. Root N increased until late-flowering or late-pod (dough stage in wheat) then decreased to maturity. Mustard had the lowest root N, chickpea the second lowest, and canola, wheat, dry pea, and lentil the highest. Improved water availability increased root N for oilseeds and wheat but did not affect root N in pulses. At maturity, average root N of oilseeds, pulses, and wheat was 14, 17, and 20 kg ha^-1, respectively. At the seedling stage pulse crops had about 27% of total plant N in their roots, a much greater proportion than for the non-legumes. However, by maturity all crops had about 14% of plant N in their roots. Soil NO₃-N increased gradually between seedling and maturity in non-legumes but in pulses there was a sharp spike at early flowering. Estimated apparent net N mineralized was similar for wheat and pulse crops which were greater than for canola and mustard. Soil N amounts and temporal change patterns varied substantially among crops evaluated, and these differences need to be considered in the development of diverse cropping systems where cereals, legumes, and oilseeds are included in rotation systems.     

Biotic resistance and invasional meltdown: consequences of acquired interspecific interactions for an invasive orchid,Spathoglottis plicata in Puerto Rico

Invasiveness of non-native species often depends on acquired interactions with either native or naturalized species. A natural colonizer, the autogamous, invasive orchid Spathoglottis plicata has acquired at least three interspecific interactions in Puerto Rico: a mycorrhizal fungus essential for seed germination and early development; a native, orchid-specialist weevil, Stethobaris polita, which eats perianth parts and oviposits in developing fruits; and ants, primarily invasive Solenopsis invicta, that forage at extrafloral nectaries. We tested in field experiments and from observational data whether weevils affect reproductive success in the orchid; and whether this interaction is density-dependent. We also examined the effectiveness of extrafloral nectaries in attracting ants that ward off weevils. Only at small spatial scales were weevil abundance and flower damage correlated with flower densities. Plants protected from weevils had less floral damage and higher fruit set than those accessible to weevils. The more abundant ants were on inflorescences, the less accessible fruits were to weevils, resulting in reduced fruit loss from larval infections. Ants did not exclude weevils, but they affected weevil activity. Native herbivores generally provide some biotic resistance to plant invasions yet Spathoglottis plicata remains an aggressive colonizer despite the acquisition of a herbivore/seed predator partly because invasive ants attracted to extrafloral nectaries inhibited weevil behavior. Thus, the invasion of one species facilitates the success of another as in invasional meltdowns. For invasive plant species of disturbed habitats, having ant-tended extrafloral nectaries and producing copious quantities of seed, biotic resistance to plant invasions can be minimal.     

The efficacy of sex-attractant monitoring for the pea moth, Cydia nigricana, in England, 1980–1985

SUMMARY
The efficacy of monitoring the pea moth ( Cydia nigricana ) in dry-harvested pea fields with pheromone traps was evaluated on commercial farms in Eastern England used by ADAS as back-up monitoring sites. In particular the use of a 'threshold' catch to determine both the need for and timing of insecticide sprays was evaluated. Fields in which 'threshold' catches were achieved had more damage in unsprayed plots than fields in which there were no 'threshold' catches. When two sprays were applied to crops at 'threshold' sites, the timing of the first predicted by the monitoring system, excellent control was achieved with 85% of crops having less than 1% peas damaged, and none more than 2–3%. Incorrectly timed sprays, or even one correctly timed spray, produced erratic control.
Simple assessments of economic loss show that it is unnecessary to spray crops in which a 'threshold' is not achieved. Spraying 'threshold' crops, however, is very worthwhile and applying two sprays, the first timed with pheromone traps, will be particularly advantageous to both growers of peas for human consumption when 'clean' crops are at a premium, and to seed producers.
The data can be used to predict the probabilities of damage levels, assuming different control strategies.