Phytophagous Entomofauna Occurring On Carrot and Plant Protection Methods

Over 34 phytophagous species were noted on carrot plantations in Poland. Most of them are oligo- and polyphagous species, occurring in populations, which pose permanent threat for carrot plantations.

Basing on occurrence frequency and quantity, the identified species were classified into 3 groups.

I group. Species causing significant economic losses: carrot fly (Chamaepsila rosae Fabr.), root aphids (Pemphigus phenax B&B), cutworm (Agrotis spp.), Semiaphis dauci, hawthorn carrot aphid (Dysaphis crataegi Kalt.), lygus bug (Lygus spp.).

II group. Species infesting plantations in cyclic intervals of several years: black been aphid (Aphis fabae Scop.), psyllid (Trioza viridula Zett.), Depressaria nervosa Haw., D. depresella Hb., D. heracliana DeGeer, wireworms (Agriotes spp.), white grubs (Melolonthinae)

III group. Species occurring sporadically in numbers, which may pose a threat to plants: knot grass (Acronicta rumicis L.), Mamestra dissimilis Knoch., M. persicariae L., Autographa gamma L.

Monitoring of pests presence and threats caused by them is conducted by constantly developed system of short- and long-term forecasting. It includes the species harmful to plantations every year or cyclically, which need to be controlled. Treatment times are established based on signalisation of pest presence on plantation, using yellow sticky cards (Chamapsila rosae), pheromone traps (Agrotis segetum) or periodic inspection of plantation to evaluate threshold value (other species).