View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE

provided by Érudit

Article

"Insect pests of wild cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon, in Newfoundland and Labrador"

P.L. Dixon et N.K. Hillier Phytoprotection, vol. 83, n° 3, 2002, p. 139-145.

Pour citer cet article, utiliser l'information suivante :

URI: http://id.erudit.org/iderudit/706237ar DOI: 10.7202/706237ar Note : les règles d'écriture des références bibliographiques peuvent varier selon les différents domaines du savoir.

Ce document est protégé par la loi sur le droit d'auteur. L'utilisation des services d'Érudit (y compris la reproduction) est assujettie à sa politique d'utilisation que vous pouvez consulter à l'URI https://apropos.erudit.org/fr/usagers/politique-dutilisation/

Érudit est un consortium interuniversitaire sans but lucratif composé de l'Université de Montréal, l'Université Laval et l'Université du Québec à Montréal. Il a pour mission la promotion et la valorisation de la recherche. Érudit offre des services d'édition numérique de documents scientifiques depuis 1998. Pour communiquer avec les responsables d'Érudit : [email protected]

Document téléchargé le 13 février 2017 04:46 Insect pests of wild cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon, in Newfoundland and Labrador

Peggy L. Dixon1 and N. Kirk Hillier2

Received 2002-09-27; acceptée! 2003-02-11 PHYTOPROTECTION 83 : 139-145

Cranberry {Vaccinium macrocarpon) has been commercially developed since the late 1990's in Newfoundland and Labrador. At that time, the insect fauna of the extensive stands of native, wild cranberry was not known, although thèse might provide a réservoir for pests to move to commercial sites. The occurrence and distribution of cranberry-feeding insects were assessed in wild stands to help cranberry growers prépare for the insect pests they might hâve to manage. Adults of the cranberry fruitworm, Acrobasis vaccinii were recovered in pheromone traps and larvae found in berries. The fruitworm was common and widespread. Moths of the cran­ berry girdler, Chrysoteuchia topiaria were caught in pheromone traps, but larvae were not recovered from plant or soil samples. There was no évi­ dence of the black-headed fireworm, Rhopobota naevana, the cranberry weevil, Anthonomus musculus, the red-headed flea beetle, Systena fron- talis, or the cranberry tipworm, Dasineura oxycoccana, serious cranberry pests in otherareas. However, larvae of the lingonberry fruitworm, Grapho- lita libertina, were found infesting cranberry at one site in 1998. Of the species found in this study, A. vaccinii probably represents the most se­ rious threat to the industry. [Les insectes de la canneberge sauvage, Vaccinium macrocarpon, à Terre- Neuve et Labrador] La canneberge {Vaccinium macrocarpon) a été développée commerciale­ ment à Terre-Neuve à la fin des années '90. À ce moment là, les populations d'insectes indigènes dans les cannebergières sauvages étaient peu con­ nues, même si ces lieux pouvaient servir de réservoir aux ravageurs, entraînant un déplacement de ces derniers vers les sites commerciaux. Pour aider les producteurs à faire face aux ravageurs, la présence et la distribution de ces insectes ont été évaluées dans les cannebergières sau­ vages. Des adultes de la pyrale des atocas, Acrobasis vaccinii ont été capturés dans des pièges à pheromone alors que des larves ont été trou­ vées dans les fruits. La pyrale des atocas est un ravageur commun et répandu. Des adultes de l'anneleur de la canneberge, Chrysoteuchia topia­ ria ont été capturés dans les pièges à pheromone mais aucune larve n'a été retrouvée dans les plants ni dans les échantillons de sol. Il n'y a pas

1. Atlantic Cool Climate Crop Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, P.O. Box 39088, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada A1E 5Y7. Contribution No. 151. Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] 2. Department of Biology, Room 201, South Biology Bldg., University of Utah, Sait Lake City, UT 84112

139 d évidence de la présence de la tordeuse des canneberges, Rhopobota naevana, du charançon des atocas, Anthonomus musculus, de Taltise à tête rouge, Systena frontalis, ou de la cécidomyie des atocas, Dasineura oxy- coccana, lesquels sont retrouvés ailleurs. Cependant, une infestation par les larves de Grapholita libertina, a été observée dans la canneberge, sur un site en 1998. De toutes les espèces trouvées lors de cette étude, la pyrale des atocas est probablement la principale menace pour cette industrie.

INTRODUCTION come cranberry pests in commercial monoculture (Averill and Sylvia 1998). The cranberry industry in Newfound- The objective of this study was to dé­ land and Labrador is young, with five, termine the species présent in wild cran­ five-hectare commercial sites estab- berry, and their geographical distribu­ lished since 1998. There is potential for tion. expansion on the approximately 2 000 000 ha of open, unforested peatland (Woodrow 1990), typical habitat for the MATERIALS AND METHODS two common species of native wild cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon Ai- Site Sélection ton, and Vaccinium oxycoccus L. [Eri- A total of 15 sites across the island part caceae] (Hendrickson 1998). As cran­ of Newfoundland and Labrador were berry has not been previously cultivat- studied between 1998 and 2000 (Table ed, it was considered that at least the 1, Fig. 1). Sites were selected based on island part of the province may not hâve an abundance of native cranberry, or some of the insect pests which occur by proximity to bogs being developed elsewhere on cultivated cranberry. To for cultivated cranberry. If native cran- minimize the introduction of foreign berries were not présent at sites adja­ pests, commercial bogs were estab- cent to commercial cranberry, areas lished using tissue-cultured plants and were selected which had abundant the import of potentially-infested marshberry {V. oxycoccus), blueberry «baies» of cranberry vines is not al- (V. angustifolium Aiton) or lingonberry lowed. However, many of the most {V. vitis-idaea L. var. minus Lodd) [Eri- serious insect pests in areas with a caceae], alternative hosts for Acrobasis longer-established commercial indus­ vaccinii Riley [Lepidoptera: Pyralidae]. try (e.g. Québec, Massachusetts), are There were approximately 2 ha of mixed native to North America and originally wild Vaccinium spp. at each site, except invaded cultivated plantings from wild at Pynn's Brook, Renews and Wood- cranberry stands. dale which each had about 0.5 ha. No sites were selected in Labrador, as there Little is known aboutthe insect fauna were no plans for commercial cranber­ of wild cranberry bogs in Newfound- ry development there at the time. land, although a number of species considered minor pests of cranberry Pheromone trapping, soil and plant hâve been recorded from other host samples plants (Dixon et al. 2000). Thèse include 1998 - Pheromones were used to mon- Xylena nupera (Lintner) and Epiglaea itor Rhopobota naevana (Hùbner) [Lep­ apiata (Grote) [Lepidoptera: Noctuidae], idoptera: Tortricidae] ((Z)-11-tetradecen- Otiorhynchus ovatus (L.) and O. sulca- 1-ol-acetate, (E)-11-tetradecen-1-ol-ace- tus (Fabr.) [Coleoptera: Curculionidae], tate and (Z)-11- tetradecen-1-ol) and and Phyllophaga anxia (LeConte) [Co­ Chrysoteuchia topiaria (Zeller) [Lepi­ leoptera: Scarabaeidae]. Thèse are com- doptera: Pyralidae] ((Z)-11- hexadece- monly known as the false armyworm, nal and (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol)). Ail the cranberry blossomworm, the straw- traps, lures and pheromones were from berry root weevil, the black vine weevil Phero Tech Inc.®, British Columbia. Six and the June beetle, respectively. Ail Pherocon® 1C wing traps were used at are omnivorous species which can be- each of the 10 sites listed in Table 1,

140 Table 1. Occurrence of A. vaccinii and C. topiaria in pheromone baited traps (1998, 1999 and 2000) or in berries (1998, 1999). Trapping occurred from at least mid-June until early August (none = not présent in traps or berries, adult = adult in traps, larvae = larvae in berries, — = not sampled) 1998 1999 2000 Berries Berries Trap catch examined examined (moths/trap/day (se)) Site (N) A. vaccinii C. topiaria (N) A. vaccinii C. topiaria A. vaccinii C. topiaria

Burin8 38 none none 88 none adults 2.41 (0.6) 0.96 (0.3) St. George's Gut 318 none none 188 none none — — Stephenville8 110 none none 110 larvae adults 1.28 (0.3) 0.01 (0.0) Pynn's Brook 0 none none 0 none none none 0.01 (0.0) New Melbourne 2986 larvae none 4284 larvae + adults none — — Fischel's River 0 none none — — — — — Fermeuse 2048 none none — — — — — Lamaline 206 none none — — — — — Renews 333 none none — — — — — Wooddale 88 none none — — — 1.30 (0.3) 0.35 (0.3) Terra Novaa — — — 80 adults adults 0.77 (0.2) 0.01 (0.0) Deadman's Baya — — — 217 adults adults 2.82 (0.7) none Rushy Pond — — — 310 none none — — Fiat Baya — — — 58 adults adults — — Salmonier — — — — — — none 0.01 (0.0) a Sites near commercial cranberry development. • A. vaccinii • C. toparia A G. libertina O no pests found

/Rushy Pond Wooddale /Deadman'sBay Pynn's Brook^^ / /Terra Nova Stephenville. i^-H St. George's Gut\ ^ l Corner % iNew Melbourne Brook ^Gander ç?& • hif^J | /Soldier's Ponc^ • • mm*4 FlatBay^ <££ 3^ /// ^ / f ri m St. John 's -* /^Fermeuse Fischel's River /i \ O—Renews Burin^"^

Lamaline Salmonier

Figure 1. Map of insular Newfoundiand indicating occurrence of the cranberry fruitworm, A. vaccinii, and the cranberry girdier, C. topiaria during 1998-2000. The lingonberry frui­ tworm, G. libertina, was found infesting cranberry at one site. three baited with R. naevana pheromone amined visually for insect pests and and three with C. topiaria pheromone. damage, and insects were extracted Traps were spaced 20 m apart, placed using Berlese funnels (Martin 1977). in the field in early summer and collect- Four samples were taken from New ed at the end of the field season. Most Melbourne, and two from each of Burin, traps were not checked during the sea­ St. George's Gut, Fermeuse, Fischel's son due to the number of sites and the River, and Renews. Berry samples were distance (initial set-up took several d taken randomly between 17 and 30 travel). Fermeuse and New Melbourne August, and examined for insects and were sampled more intensively with damage. Sample size varied according traps collected every 7-10 d from 3 June to the number of berries présent (Table to 28 August. Lures were not changed 1). At Burin, Stephenville, Terra Nova, during the trapping period, but bottoms Deadman's Bay and Fiat Bay, V. macro- were replacée! if they were saturated or carpon was not présent, so berries were damaged. taken from V. oxycoccus or V. vitis- idaea. Berries were not sampled at Fis­ At each site, cranberry plants which chel's River, as the area was flooded. appeared unhealthy were removed along with three to four liters of sur- 1999 - Pheromone traps, and soil and rounding soil. A total of 14 plant and plant samples were collected as in 1998, soil samples across ail sites were ex- at nine sites as indicated on Table 1.

142 DIXON, HILLIER : CRANBERRY INSECTS IN NEWFOUNDLAND

However, pheromones also were used et al. 2002; Morris et al. 1988). This insect to monitor A. vaccinii. Acrobasis vacci­ was recovered from cranberry only from nii lures ((E,Z)-8,10-pentadecadien-1-ol this site, and the record may be due to acétate and (E)-9-pentadecen-1-ol acé­ the coïncident occurrence of wild lin- tate) were obtained from Great Lakes gonberries and cranberries. IPM® in Michigan. At New Melbourne, traps were sampled weekly, with two 1999 traps used for each of the three phero­ Large numbers of A. vaccinii and C. mones. Soil and plant samples were topiaria moths were trapped at New taken from apparently unhealthy plants Melbourne, an area with abundant na­ (n = 14) at New Melbourne only, and tive cranberry but not near a commer­ assessed as previously described. Ber- cial bog. Pheromone trapping at other ry samples were also taken as in 1998 wild sites also indicated the présence of (Table 1). both species (Table 1), suggesting they are widely distributed. Cranberry pests 2000 - Acrobasis vaccinii, C. topiaria were not found in soil or leaf samples, and R. naevana were monitored at sev- from any of the nine sites. However, A. en sites using pheromone traps (Table vaccinii larvae were found in large 1). Three traps for each species were numbers in berries collected from New placed near three cultivated cranberry Melbourne. A single A. vaccinii larva sites (Terra Nova, Stephenville, Burin), was also found in a V. oxycoccus sam- and three government test plots (Wood- ple near the Stephenville site; V. oxy­ dale, Salmonier and Pynn's Brook), for coccus is a réservoir host for this pest a total of nine traps per site. At Dead- (N.K. HiIMer, personal observation). man's Bay, there were four traps for A. While C. topiaria moths were présent in vaccinii, and thus a total of 10 traps. pheromone traps at five sites, larvae Every 2 wk between 7 July and 30 were not recovered from any site. Sam­ August, traps were collected and sent ples of wild cranberry plants were typ- to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in ically heterogenous, often mixed among St. John's for assessment. Lures were other wild plants. The aggregation of not changed during the trapping peri- roots, runners, lichens and moss creat- od. No soil, plant or berry samples were ed difficulty in both taking ând examin- taken in 2000. ing soil samples. Also, because C. topi­ aria prefers grass roots to cranberry (Averill and Sylvia 1998; Kamm and RESULTS AND DISCUSSION McDunough 1989), it is possible that larvae were not feeding on cranberry in 1998 wild stands and thus were not recov­ Chrysoteuchia topiaria and R. naevana ered. moths were not found in pheromone traps. Acrobasis vaccinii larvae were Acrobasis vaccinii moths were recov­ found in several berries collected at New ered from pheromone traps from 7 to Melbourne, the first record of this spe­ 28 July at New Melbourne and larvae cies in the province. Damaged berries were présent in berries from 21 July to collected in Fermeuse had damage 9 September. Acrobasis vaccinii larvae characteristic of A. vaccinii but larvae were présent in 23-36% of sampled had exited so positive détermination berries at New Melbourne. was not possible. No évidence of in- sects or feeding was observed in plant 2000 samples and no insects were found in Pheromone trapping confirmed the the soil. A small number of larvae of the broad distribution of A. vaccinii and C. lingonberry fruitworm, Grapholita lib- topiaria (Table 1). The highest number ertina Heinrich [Lepidoptera: Tortri- of A. vaccinii was collected at cidae], were présent in cranberries col­ Deadman's Bay, with 1174 moths in four lected at Soldier's Pond (21 larvae in traps over the trapping period (avera- 600 berries). The usual host of G. liber- ge = 2.82 ± 0.7 moths/trap/day). Acroba­ tina is V. vitis-idaea var. minus (Hillier sis vaccinii were found in traps at ail sites except Salmonier and Pynn's

143 Brook,twoofthe new commercial bogs If larvae moved from lingonberries to with minimal wild cranberry in the area adjacent wild cranberries, cranberries to act as a pest réservoir. Chrysoteu- cultivated in monoculture may not be chia topiaria was collected in small at risk. Otherwise, G. libertina may be numbers at ail sites except Deadman's a potential pest of commercial cranber­ Bay (Table 1). The highest number was ry in Newfoundland and Labrador, trapped at Burin, with 238 moths in four where both V. vitis-idaea and G. liber­ traps over the sampling period (aver- tina are common and ubiquitous, and age = 0.96 ± 0.3 moths/trap/day). in Nova Scotia and British Columbia, During 1998 and 1999, the efficiency where the tortricid also occurs (Morris of the traps at several sites may hâve et al. 1988). been decreased due to placement in The current study indicates that C. the field for 6-8 wk without being topiaria and A. vacciniiare widespread. checked. Catches may hâve been af- Previous C. topiaria spécimens held in fected by saturation of trap bottoms or the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada- détérioration of trapped moths making St. John's collection indicate that it identification difficult. Lure âge also may occurs throughout insular Newfound­ affect trapping through decreasing land and has been recovered from one émission rates overtime (Housewart et location in Labrador. Although C. topi­ al. 1981). The field life of the phero- aria larvae prefer the roots of grasses to mone lures used in this study is approx- those of cranberry, they can cause sé­ imately 6-8 wk (J. Hansel, personal vère damage in cranberry by feeding communication), so decreased émission on subterranean vines (Roland 1990). rates should not hâve influenced catch­ es. Cranberry pests were found in 1999 The pest of most potential concern is but not 1998, attwo (Burin and Stephen- A. vaccinii. This paper represents the ville) of the five sites monitored in both first record of this species for the prov­ yr. As methods were the same in 1998 ince. Acrobasis vaccinii's host range is and 1999, presumably there were fewer narrow, restricted to a few species re- insects présent in the first yr at those lated to cranberry {Vaccinium) and sites, or catches were influenced by huckleberry (Gaylussacia); wild stands abiotic factors such as weather. of thèse plants are common near cran- berry-development areas, and provide This study, along with previous mu­ réservoirs for pests. Acrobasis vaccinii séum records, confirms the présence of is considered a serious pest of cranber­ a number of cranberry-feeding insects ry in both cultivated and wild bogs, with in Newfoundland. Records from the 50-80% loss of fruit in unmanaged ar­ Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada-St. eas (Brodel and Roberts 1984; Maxwell John's insect collection, among others, and Morgan 1951). Although currently showthat O. ovatusand O. sulcatus are found in Newfoundland only in wild common and widely distributed, and P. stands, it is inévitable that A. vaccinii, anxia is présent in the west and central as well as other pest species, will in- areas of the island. Larvae of each of vade commercial plantations. ^ thèse beetle species are omnivorous § root-feeders, potentially causing exten- Sl sive damage to a range of crops includ- — ing cranberry (Averill and Sylvia 1998). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS oo Epiglaea apiata is also widely distri but- We thank J. Coombes and B. George il ed across the island but is uncommon for technical assistance during this pz (Morris 1980); its status may change as Project. Site sélection was accom- Jj commercial cranberry develops. Collec- plished through consultation with P. £ tion spécimens indicate that X. nupera Hendrickson, R. Churchill, E. Butt and g also is uncommon, apparently restrict- W. Nichols. We are grateful to G. Porter O ed to the Avalon Peninsula (Morris of the Department of Forest Resources > 1980). and Agrifoods, for providing trapping z data from 2000. We thank two anony- *• Grapholita libertina larvae were found mous reviewers for improving previ- in wild cranberries at one site in 1998.

144 DIXON, HILLIER : CRANBEFIRY INSECTS IN NEWFOUNDLAND

ous versions of the manuscript, and I. Kamm, J.A., and L.M. McDunough. 1989. Le Duc for correcting the french ab- Field tests with the sex pheromone of the stract. This research was supported cranberry girdler. Environ. Entomol. 8 : under the Agri-Food Innovation Pro- 773-775. Martin, J.E.H. 1977. The insects and arach- gram of the Canada-Newfoundland nids of Canada. Part 1: Collecting, pre- Safety Nets Initiative, Projects Al 413 paring, and preserving insects, mites and and Al 451. spiders. Publication 1643, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 182 pp. Maxwell, C.W., and G.T. Morgan. 1951. Life- REFERENCES historystudiesof the cranberryfruitworm, Mineola vaccinii(R\\ey), in New Brunswick Averill, A.L., and M.M. Sylvia. 1998. Cran- (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). 82nd Annu. Rep. berry insectsof the Northeast. University Entomol. Soc. Ontario, Ontario, Canada, of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachu­ pp. 21-25. setts. 112 pp. Morris, R.F. 1980. Butterflies and moths of Brodel, CF., and S.L. Roberts. 1984. The Newfoundland and Labrador: the Mac- cranberryfruitworm. Publication 1-08-84- rolepidoptera. Agriculture Canada Publi­ 2M of the Cranberry Experiment Station, cation no. 1691, St. John's, Newfound­ East Wareham, Massachusetts, 2 pp. land, 407 pp. Dixon, P.L., P. Hendrickson, N.K. Hillier, and Morris, R.F., B.G. Penney, G. Greenslade, G. Porter. 2000. Insects on wild cranberry P.A. Hendrickson, and K.B. McRae. 1988. in Newfoundland. 1999 Cranberry Re­ Notes on the occurrence, distribution, search Compilation 11 : 89-92. Cranberry population levels and control of Graphol­ Institute, Wareham, MA. ita libertina Heinr. (Lepidoptera: Tortri­ Hendrickson, P. 1998. Cranberry develop- cidae), a pest of lingonberries in New­ ment strategy for Newfoundland and foundland. Can. Entomol. 120 : 867-872. Labrador. Department of Forest Resourc­ Roland, J. 1990. Use of alternative plant es and Agrifoods, St. John's, Newfound­ species as a monitoring tool for the cran­ land, 18 pp. berry girdler (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Hillier N.K., P.L. Dixon, W.D. Seabrook, and Environ. Entomol. 19 : 721-724. D.J. Larson. 2002. Field testing of syn- Woodrow, E. 1990. Vegetable crop suitabil- thetic attractants for maie Grapholita lib­ ity of organic soils in Newfoundland. Land ertins (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Can. En- Resource Research Centre, Agriculture tomol. 134 : 657-665. Canada, contribution no. 90-54, St. John's, Housewart M.W., D.T. Jennings, and C.J. Newfoundland, 9 pp. Sanders. 1981. Variables associated with pheromone traps for monitoring spruce budworm populations (Lepidoptera: Tor­ tricidae). Can. Entomol. 113 : 527-537.

145