Data from: Insecticidal Management of Rangeland Grasshoppers Using Remotely Piloted Aerial Application System
Grasshoppers are integral parts of rangeland ecosystems but also have the potential to reach population densities high enough (outbreaks) to cause serious economic damage from forage loss and affect adjacent crops. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of treating grasshopper population hotspots with a liquid insecticide using a remotely piloted aerial application system (RPAAS), as opposed to fixed-wing aircraft, which is the most common method currently in use. A liquid insecticide, Sevin XLR PLUS (containing carbaryl), was applied on replicated 4.05-hectare (10-acre) plots with an RPAAS on a ranch in New Mexico. Our results demonstrated that Sevin XLR PLUS significantly suppressed grasshopper populations over a 14-day period (normalized population reduction was 79.11 ± 8.35% SEM) and quite rapidly (mostly by day 3) compared to untreated controls. These results are comparable to those achieved with fixed-wing aircraft. The RPAAS covered the whole test area in a single flight in approximately 5 min, making these population hotspot treatment applications relatively rapid, potentially more cost-effective, and more targeted in comparison to fixed-wing aircraft. Before adoption as an application method option, further research is recommended on using an RPAAS to cover larger areas in combination with using diflubenzuron-based insecticides, which are often preferred.
Funding
USDA-ARS: 3091–22000–037–00D
History
Data contact name
Martin, DanielData contact email
dan.martin@usda.govPublisher
Ag Data CommonsTemporal Extent Start Date
2020-06-30Theme
- Not specified
Geographic Coverage
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New MexicoISO Topic Category
- environment
- farming
National Agricultural Library Thesaurus terms
range management; grasshoppers; aerial application; ecosystems; insecticides; aircraft; flight; cost effectivenessOMB Bureau Code
- 005:18 - Agricultural Research Service
OMB Program Code
- 005:040 - National Research
ARS National Program Number
- 305
Pending citation
- No
Public Access Level
- Public