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Collecting stems of the woody perennial
Groundsel (Baccharis halimifolia).
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This technique is useful for some stem-borers in woody
perennial plants. The technique uses much less space and time than growing and
maintaining perennial plants of a suitable size. Suitable stems can be obtained
from the field and sawn into manageable lengths. The ends of the stem sections
can be sealed by dipping briefly into molten wax (Tomley 1990).
This allows stem tissues to retain moisture and stay alive while larvae develop.
The stems can be exposed to ovipositing adults, or larvae can be introduced into
holes bored into the stems. Stems only need to be caged after larvae pupate but
before adults emerge.
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