Early detection, infestation

Allelopathy found hopeful utilization in plant protection against parasite weeds. The main world parasitic species are the witchweeds (Striga spp.), broomrapes (Orobanche spp.), and eventually dodder (Cuscuta spp.). Witchweeds and broom-rapes attack many economically important crops especially throughout the semi-arid regions. Early detection of parasitic weed infestation and protection is difficult because of the growth habit of a root parasite and huge production of dust-like seeds viable up to 20 years (Kebreab and Murdoch 1999). 

Hagstrum, D.W., Dowdy, A.K., and Lippert, G.E. 1994. Early detection of insects in stored wheat using sticky traps in bin headspace and prediction of infestation level. Environ. Entomol. 23, 1241-1244. 

Richter, K. and Tchalale, P. 1994. Improved early detection of internal infestation by flotation using product-adapted salt solutions. In Stored Product Protection Proceedings of the 6th International Working Conference on Stored-product Protection (E. Highley, E.J. Wright, H.J. Banks, and B.R. Champ, eds), pp. 444-447. CAB International, Wallingford, UK. 

Zisman, U. and Calderon, M. 1991. Early detection of insect infestation in grain samples by measuring the carbon dioxide content. In Proceedings of the 5th International Working Conference on Stored-product Protection (F. Fleurat-Lessard and P. Ducom, eds), p. 1465. Bordeaux, France. 

Travelers should be advised that prevention is based on avoidance of vector-infested habitats, use of repellents and protective clothing when exposed, prompt detection and removal of arthropods on clothing and skin, and attention to hygiene. Disease management should focus on early detection and proper treatment to prevent severe complications of these illnesses. 

Practical application of pheromone traps for detection and control is furthest advanced for several species of Trogoderma and Attagenus, which include some of the more notorious pests. In fact, small detection traps containing the pheromone and an insecticide are now in use in a number of storage facilities, and on ships for quarantine purposes. The very high levels of response make early detection in a sparse population much more feasible than previous procedures the use of numerous small traps allows for pinpointing the sources of the infestation. Current studies are aimed at improved trap and dispenser design. 

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