Monitoring the flight dynamics of raspberry cane midge Resseliella theobaldi Barnes by pheromon traps in Western Serbia region

Raspberry production in Serbia is mostly concentrated in central and western parts of the country. The total raspberry production ranged from 76.991-86.961 tons in the period 2005-2010 (source: The Serbian Chamber of Commerce). In this period a serious pest in Serbian raspberry plantings became raspberry cane midge (RCM). The flight phenology of RCM Resseliella (Thomasiniana) theobaldi Barnes (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) was monitored over two successive years (2006-2007) in raspberry plantings (open field) at three sites, Arilje (Zlatibor district – area 6142 square km), Zdravljak and Djeradj (Moravica district – area 3016 square m). This was the first time that large white delta traps bated with the raspberry cane midge sex pheromone were used in these provinces. No insecticides were used during the monitoring period in the experimental plot. The traps were set up on 11 April 2006, 4 May 2007 (Arilje), 4 April 2006, 4 May 2007 (Zdravljak) and 26 and 23 April in 2006 and 2007 (Djeradj). Obtained results are the part of RCM ring test coordinated by East Malling Research. During the investigation period, the midge presence was detected from April-May to September-October. During the two years, there were variations in numbers of midges caught per trap, as well as those in the total numbers of midges trapped across years and peak numbers per trap. At the locality Arilje the highest total number (1.914) of midges during the season, the highest number of midges and earliest maximum per trap in a sample (91 occurred on 9 May) were recorded in 2006. At the locality Djeradj the highest total number (4.876) of midges during the season, the highest average number of midges per tap in a sample (395.5 occurred on 20 July) and the earliest maximum catch per trap (309.5 occurred on 4 May) were recorded in 2006. At the locality Zdravljak the highest total number (2.419) of midges during the season, the highest number and earliest maximum of midges per trap in a sample (369. 5 occurred on 11 May) were recorded in 2007. In terms of the importance of the raspberry crop, monitoring of all major growing areas in Serbia is required due to the fact that forecast cannot predict future emergence of the pest based on that of the previous season, which is very important in signaling the optimum time for an insecticide application aimed at suppressing the first generation of RCM. In the same time Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management should register an active compound for RCM control in different raspberry growing conditions (conventional and organic production).