Sticky disc prevents damage ringlegged earwig in gerbera

Ringlegged earwigs have been a threat in gerbera for several years. With the elimination of broad-spectrum pesticides, numbers are growing in the crop. The level of damage in gerbera is species-dependent, but ring leg earworms cause crop and flower damage everywhere. Attacking young flower buds causes the greatest damage and crop loss.

Approach

Gijsbert Verboom of Gerbera United tried all sorts of biological agents in the approach but with limited results. "Eventually we started considering a method of shielding the pipes, hoses and stands. These creeping earworms move up through the cultivation system in search of crop, and successfully unfortunately." Gijsbert explains that tests with upside-down glued coffee cups from the canteen turned out well. Royal Brinkman was asked to think along to make this solution practical.

The Sticky disc 132 m and 165 mm.

Yellow sticky disc

The result is the yellow Sticky disc; a one-sided sticky disc with a cut-out core and equipped with a click system. The Sticky disc is available in 2 diameters: 132 mm for stands of cultivation gutters and 165 mm for drain hoses and water hoses. It is a choice to apply these Sticky discs during the cultivation change of Gerbera, then all points are easily accessible.

Gerbera United has now decided to equip all cultivation departments with Sticky discs. Gijsbert: "We are going to use the Sticky discs at all our nurseries, in new and existing sections. During the crop rotation, we will then permanently eliminate ring-legged earworm in the new sections. In the sections with existing crops, we also place Sticky discs to prevent more ring leg earworms from coming to the surface. To keep the damage limited."

Ring-legged earworms can no longer crawl up to the crop via stands and water hoses

Royal Brinkman is closely involved in the development of the Sticky disc. The Sticky disc is a great example of 'Let's improve together'. This is the way we at Royal Brinkman work on product development: improving crop results together with the grower. All lines under the cultivation gutters can be fitted with Sticky discs. There are also growers with rectangular stands under the gutter instead of round. There is also a solution for this, Sticky discs with a rectangular core. In the webshop you can find Sticky discs, complete with dimensions, diameter and type of core.

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