Nottingham L D 2017.Pdf
Development and Evaluation of Integrated Approaches for Managing of Mexican Bean Beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant Louis Bove Nottingham Dissertation submitted to the faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy In Entomology Thomas P. Kuhar, Chair Ramón A. Arancibia D. Ames Herbert Timothy J. Kring Peter B. Schultz December 5, 2016 Blacksburg, VA Keywords: Integrated pest management (IPM), Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis, Phaseolus, snap bean, lima bean, agroecosystem, cultivars, susceptible, cultural management, seed-treatment, thiamethoxam, natural enemies, Podisus maculiventris Development and Evaluation of Integrated Approaches for Managing of Mexican Bean Beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant Louis Bove Nottingham ABSTRACT The Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, is a major pest of snap beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L. in the Central Appalachian region of the United States. To develop pertinent research objectives, background information on this pest was gathered from literature sources and personal communications with growers, extension agents and other agricultural professionals. In objective one, Mexican bean beetle preference, developmental success and plant injury were compared among three snap bean and three lima bean cultivars in field and greenhouse trials. The cultivar ‘Dragon’s Tongue’ was the most preferred, suitable for development, and prone to injury. Growers may benefit from growing less susceptible cultivars, or by using ‘Dragon’s Tongue’ in trap cropping or push-pull strategies. In objective two, Mexican bean beetle densities, feeding injury, and yield were compared among snap beans grown on metallized plastic (highly reflective), white plastic, black plastic, and bare soil. Metallized plastic provided the greatest level of control, and resulted in the highest yields.
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