Chemical compatibility testing of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium to control Bemisia tabaci in glasshouse environment

The potential for using the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium to control the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci has been well established in previous studies under both laboratory and glasshouse conditions. In the current study, five chemicals were assessed for their compatibility with L. muscarium for control of B. tabaci under glasshouse conditions. On treatments following the sequential application of chemical product and fungus high mortality of second instar larvae was obtained [the known most susceptible B. tabaci life-stage to fungal infection]. Sequential treatment of Savona and Certis spraying oil with L. muscarium produced 95% and 96% larval mortality, respectively. Commercially, unacceptable poinsettia foliage damage was recorded seven days post application of Agri-50E. Other plant foliage may prove more tolerant to this product. Incorporation of these chemicals with L. muscarium into integrated control programmes for B. tabaci control in glasshouses is discussed. Further information has been added to the knowledge base for the combined use of chemicals and fungi for the control of B. tabaci

Ecological benefits of Anystis baccarum in an orchard ecosystem and the need for its conservation

Integrated pest management programs are very important in the control of invertebrate pests within apple orchards. Many current integrated pest management strategies concentrate on specialist predatory species. However, generalist beneficial insects, such as several mite species, must also be fully researched for their potential in controlling pests. Previous research has shown that the generalist predatory mite Anystis baccarum [Linnaeus] can offer much potential in controlling invertebrate pests within Northern Irish apple orchards. However, apple growers have been mis-identifying this beneficial species as the economic pest European fruit tree red spider mite, Panonychus ulmi [Koch]. As a result, unnecessary pesticide applications have been applied against what has now been confirmed as a beneficial species. To aid apple growers in the identification of A. baccarum, identification cards were produced. Positive uptake of the cards by many apple growers has resulted in correct identification of A. baccarum from P. u lm i, and therefore, a reduction in chemical pesticide applications. The benefits of A. baccarum within orchard ecosystems is discussed

Environmental evaluation of hot water treatments to control Liriomyza huidobrensis infesting plant material in transit

Though quarantine disinfestation treatments have been exempt from the methyl bromide phase out, it is still required to research and develop alternative treatments for fumigation of plant material in transit. This study investigated the ability of both the egg and pupal stages of the quarantine pest, South Americian leafminer, Liriomyza huidobrensis to survive submersion in water heated to temperatures between 40 and 50°C for varying periods of time. Large reductions in egg viability were recorded. However, the treatments also resulted in unacceptable levels of damage to the host plant material. Damage was uneconomically viable. Pupae were all killed exposure to water at 44°C for 20 min. Incubation of insect and plant material at either 5 or 20°C for 24 h before submersion in the hot water did not significantly alter the pests' ability to survive the treatments. The potential of hot water treatments to act as an alternative to methyl bromide fumigation for disinfecting plants in transit is discussed

Leaf dipping as an environmental screening measure to test chemical efficacy against bemisia tabaci on poinsettia plants

The screening of potential chemicals for control of Bemisia tabaci on poinsettia [Euphorbia pulcherrima c.v. Lilo Pink] plants using a leaf dipping technique was investigated. All relevant B. tabaci lifestages [eggs, larvae and adults] were investigated. In leaf dipping tests, Certis spraying oil was the only compound to show potential to be used as a control agent against B. tabaci eggs, with 81% obtained mortality. Oberon resulted in no mortality of B. tabaci eggs in the reported experiments. Leaf dipping against second instar and adult B. tabaci proved more effective for all chemical products. Dipping techniques using Majestik, Certis spraying oil and Agri- 50 E all resulted in high second instar larval mortality [93, 87 and 85.5%, respectively]. Certis spraying oil again resulted in a high efficacy against adult B. tabaci with 100% mortality obtained. The potential of the various chemicals to be incorporated into integrated pest management strategies for the control of B. tabaci is discussed

Environmental monitoring of economically important invertebrate pests in Bramley apple orchards in Northern Ireland

Apple orchards are host to many species of both pest and beneficial invertebrates. Many of the pest species can cause severe economic damage if populations are left unchecked. Within Northern Irish Bramley apple orchards only four species are deemed to be of economic importance; Panonychus ulmi, Aculus schlechtendali, Rhopalosiphum insertum and Archips podana. Little information exists on the current population status and economic damage potential of these four pests. The population levels of these species and their potential to cause economic damage on the Bramley fruit is therefore discussed in regard to current economic spray thresholds

Environmental impact of an orchard winer wash and early season pesticide applications on both a beneficial and a pest mite species in bramley apple orchards

Apple orchards often receive winter-washes to help aid invertebrate pest control. These can have detrimental environmental consequences. The application of winter-wash increased Aculus schlechtendali numbers while a decrease in numbers of the beneficial mite Anystis baccarum was observed. The application of early season pesticide treatments produced mixed results in relation to A. schlechtendali. Pirimiphos-methyl had no apparent detrimental effect on A. baccarum, whereas pirimicarb and phosalone reduced A. baccarum populations. The potential to incorporate an orchard winter-wash and early-season pesticide applications within integrated pest management strategies is discussed

Techniques for environmental monitoring of predatory fauna on branches of Bramley apple trees in Northern Ireland

Ranges of trapping devices were investigated for their ability to sample predatory mites and insects on branches of apple trees. Straw traps caught significantly more predatory mites whereas corrugated cardboard traps proved better for larger predators such as the common earwig, Forficula auricularia. The most abundant predatory species sampled on the trees was the 'whirli-gig' mite Anystis baccarum. The efficiency of the various trapping devices and the potential of incorporating A. baccarum within environmentally based management strategies for invertebrate pest control within the Bramley apple orchards are discussed

Environmental monitoring of archips podana [fruit tree tortrix moth] in Bramley apple orchards in Northern Ireland

Apple is host to many species of tortricid moths. Archips podana is an economically important species in the Bramley's Seedling apple orchards of Northern Ireland. Chemical pesticides are routinely applied to control moth populations. Pheromone trapping has shown that the moths are not concentrated in any particular habitat. Moth damage to fruit is generally negligible. The need for careful judgement to be applied before deciding on the application of chemical pesticides to control moth populations is discussed