Organic Approaches to Insect Pest Management on Vegetable Crops , Oregon , Oregon Hedstrom Chris Dept

Organic Approaches to Insect Pest Management on Vegetable Crops , Oregon , Oregon Hedstrom Chris Dept. of Agriculture

Celeste Welty Extension Entomologist March 2019 The goal The reality Search for a weak link in life cycle Ecological context The crop field: • Crops • Pests • Natural enemies The agricultural landscape: • Crop fields • Woodlands • Hedgerows • Ditches Crop ecology: is food chain balanced or unbalanced? carnivores (parasitoid wasps) producer (mustard)

herbivore herbivore (imported (cabbage cabbage- maggot) worm) Pest management actions • Strategies –Do nothing –Eradication –Prevention –Suppression • Tactics –Cultural –Mechanical –Biological –Behavioral –Microbial –Chemical Issues of scale

• Large farms vs small farms vs gardens • Monoculture vs polyculture

• Same crop • Same possible pests

• Different intensity of infestation • Different tactics • Different economics Organic vs other approaches • Willingness to use tactics: –More knowledge intensive –More labor intensive –More expensive (?) –Include chemicals: yes or no? • More concern with restoring checks & balances • More willing to tolerate damage Biological Control • Control of pest by other organisms that act as natural enemies –Conservation –Augmentation • Common natural enemies –Predators –Parasitoids Biological Control: Predators

• Develop at expense of more than one prey item • Predator often larger than prey • Prey usually killed & consumed quickly Predatory Beetles larva

adult • Lady beetles adult adult

• Ground beetles larva

adult • Rove beetles • Soldier beetles Predatory True Bugs

• Stink bugs – Spined soldier bug – Twospotted stink bug • Flower bugs adult – Minute pirate bug – Insideous flower bug • Damsel bugs • Assassin bugs nymph Predatory Flies larva adult

• Hover flies larva (flower flies)

• Aphid midges adult

• Robber flies Lacewings

• Green lacewings

• Brown lacewings Other Predators

• Wasps: –Yellowjackets • Thrips: –Black hunter thrips • Mites: –Phytoseiid mites Biological Control: Parasitoids

• Develop at expense of a single host • Lay egg in or on host insect • Host is usually killed slowly • Enemy usually smaller than host Parasitoids: typical life cycle Categories of parasitoids

• Endoparasites –Develop inside body of host • Ectoparasites –Feed externally, attach to outside of host Life Cycle of Parasitoid

Hyposoter wasp attacking caterpillar Life Stages of Parasitoid

Trichogramma wasp attacking caterpillar egg Parasitoids • Some wasps – Braconid wasps • On hornworm: Cotesia congregata • On imported cabbageworm: Cotesia glomeratus • On aphids: Diaeretiella rapae – Ichneumonid wasps • On diamondback: Diadegma insulare Parasitoids • Some wasps – Braconid wasps • On hornworm: Cotesia congregata • On imported cabbageworm: Cotesia glomeratus • On aphids: Diaeretiella rapae – Ichneumonid wasps • On diamondback: Diadegma insulare – Other wasps • On whiteflies: Encarsia • On caterpillar eggs: Trichogramma Parasitoids

• Tachinid flies eggs adult –On squash bug: Trichopoda pennipes –On striped cucumber beetle: Celatoria setosa

adult pupa Parasitoids

• Some species attack eggs ** • Some species attack larvae • Some species attack pupa • Some species attack adults

** prevent the most damage Our smartphone app!

• Name: Good Bugs + • Platforms: –For iPhone & Android • Now free (was $2.99) • Topics: –Natural enemies: i.d., biology, mgmt –Pollinators –Native plants that support them & Vertebrate predators eat insects! • Bats • Toads • Birds • Geese • Hogs Biological control by conservation of local natural enemies: tactics

• Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides • Provide resources: –Pollen & nectar (refuge) –Spray sugar/protein mix –Winter shelter –Alternate prey (banker plants) • Attract with lures Insectary planting as refuge for natural enemies

Phacelia

nasturtium sweet alyssum cilantro

• Adult parasitoids need nectar dill • Adult predators need pollen • Plant flowering border to enhance biocontrol Conservation of local species • Commercial lures –Spined soldier bug –Ladybug –General Conservation of local species

• Spray sugar/protein food source: –‘Pred Feed’ • 2.5 kg/hectare in cotton –‘Insect Food’ from Rincon-Vitova • 0.5 – 1 lb per gallon water Conservation of local species • Provide diversity of habitats –Hedgerows –Windbreaks Biological control by augmentation of local natural enemies

• Tactics: –Buy from insectary –Collect and transfer generalists Augmentation: Collect & transfer • What to do? –Hunt for generalist predators –Collect them –Transfer them to crop • Who, where, when? –Ladybugs on Spirea in May –Lacewings & aphid midges on apple leaves in early June –Damsel bugs on alfalfa, April-June Spirea : bridal wreath

• Often infested by spirea aphid in May • Good source of ladybugs & lacewings Banker plants for biocontrol by conservation & augmentation

• Banker plant = a plant infested by a pest • Provide a ‘nursery’ of alternate food for the natural enemy • Must be a very host-specific pest! • Example: hanging baskets of wheat infested with grain aphids in greenhouse tomatoes Guardian plants for augmentation bicontrol

• Used in greenhouse • Dual-purpose: – Pull pests: like an indicator plant or trap crop – Support natural enemies: like banker plants • Benefits –Saves scouting time –Need fewer shipments from insectary • Example: marigolds in pepper; beans in tomato; lantana in herbs Starting augmentation biocontrol • Focus on one crop • Select natural enemy – Do before season starts – Learn biology & ecology • Decide on protocol – Monitor pest – Use threshold to plan releases – Place orders early • Release – Observe quality control • Evaluation Ratio of enemy to pest??

• 1:10 a general rule • ‘Safe balance ratio’: • 1-7 pests/enemy • ‘Unsafe balance ratio’ • 10-20 pests/enemy Trichogramma (say: TRICK – o – gram – ma)

• Tiny wasps • Lay their eggs in pest eggs • The most widely augmented enemy in the world Biocontrol of European corn borer

• Egg parasitoid • Trichogramma ostriniae healthy –New species, 1980s • Research trials –Sweet corn: since 1991 • MA, NY parasitized –Peppers: 2002 – 2012 • VA, NY, PA, ME, MA, MD, DE Trichogramma ostriniae on sweet corn • 1st: inundative, every 2-3 days • Later: inoculative, early –Eggs glued on cards –Inoculative: One release of 30,000 wasps per acre when crop is knee-high –Place on plants or on wood stakes –Place at 1 or more sites per acre –Parasitism up to 52 days after release • Does not overwinter in NY Trichogramma ostriniae on peppers

• 4 releases –1 week apart –mid July - mid August • Number released –1st: 90,000/A –then 120,000/A Cultural controls • Crop location • Crop rotation • Variety selection • Tillage • Mulching • Delayed planting • Trap cropping • Maintenance • Fertilizer • Irrigation Cultural Controls

• Under-utilized tactics: –Delayed planting –Trap cropping –Combined delayed planting + trap cropping • Best as part of multi-tactic plan Delayed planting

• Cucumber beetle –Problem if plant in late May –Less problem if plant in mid-June • Squash vine borer –Same • Bean leaf beetle –Peak populations in May, July –Fewer in June Adjust planting date for Cabbage Maggot

• Crop most susceptible if in seedling stage when new adults are laying eggs • Emergence of the adults: – on different calendar dates each year – but always at the same time that certain well known plants are flowering GEN. PLANT AVG. BLOOM (Ohio) 1 yellow rocket early May 2 day lilies late June 3 Canada thistle early August 4 New England aster early Sept. Trap cropping

• Lure pest away from main crop to a more attractive crop • Once the pest infests trap crop: –Leave it (sacrifice) or –Hand-pick pests from trap crop or –Spray trap crop with insecticide Trap cropping cash crop

perimeter trap crop

• Planting time options –Same time –2 weeks early for trap crop Perimeter trap crop

• Collards around cabbage • Diamondback moth Cantaloupes surrounded by perimeter trap crop of buttercup squash Trap cropping examples

Main crop Trap crop Target pest cabbage collards diamondback moth cabbage kale harlequin bug cucumber hubbard squash cucumber beetles peppers sweet corn (late) Europ. corn borer potato eggplant Colo. potato beetle To weed or not to weed?

• Some weeds act as trap crop

– Smartweed in sweet corn for Japanese beetle • Weeds are alternate hosts of some pests

– Remove horsenettle to control pepper maggot

– Remove curly dock to control rhubarb curculio Tillage

• Deep thorough plowing affects: – Cutworms – Wireworms – Stalk borer (pupae) – Corn earworm (pupae) – Squash vine borer (pupae) • Reduced tillage becoming more common (for soil conservation) Irrigation

• Affects diamondback moth – Sprinkler irrigation – 5 minutes at dusk – Daily – Disrupts flight and mating Fertilizer

• Some pests like plants with excess nitrogen (e.g. some aphids) • Others opposite Reflective Mulch

• repels immigrating winged aphids Cultural control: trade-offs E.g. Straw Mulch • Benefits –Moisture retention –Weed suppression –Reduces soil splash –Reduces fungal spore dispersal • Makes some pest problems worse –E.g. cucumber beetles, slugs Mechanical Controls

• Exclusion • Removal Row covers

• 1o for temperature control • Also block pests Row covers to exclude pests

• Key pests –Worms on cole crops –Beetles on beans –Leafhoppers on beans • Disease vectors –Beetles on cucumbers (before flowering) Row covers to exclude pests • Install on day of planting • Remove – When first flowers appear (cucurbits) – At final harvest (broccoli, beans) Row covers to exclude pests

• Lightweight –‘Agri-bon 15’, ‘Insect Barrier’ –90% light transmission (vs 70-85% for heavier covers for frost protection) –Sources: • Johnny’s Selected Seed: $122. (10’ x 500’) • Gardens Alive: $40. (8’ x 96’) Row covers to exclude pests • Use with or w/o hoops • Must be anchored tightly Exclusion by netting

• Periodical cicada • Birds

blueberry

grapes Mechanical Control by Removal

• Shelter traps • Attraction traps • By beating/shaking * • Removal by vacuum • By aspirator • Removal by hand Removal by shelter traps • Board trap for squash bug

Gypsy moth • Tree bands for caterpillars Squash bug

Codling moth Removal by shelter traps

For squash bug: • Board or shingle • Place on ground near plant • Bugs leave plant at night, shelter under trap • Check daily, early morning

• Destroy bugs squash bug Removal by attraction traps • Slugs • Dish of beer • Catches many slugs • Often not significant decrease in population • Apple maggot: –One red sticky ball trap per 100 real fruit • Japanese beetle –Place AWAY from crop to be protected Removal by tapping or shaking

• Into bucket or tray • By broom or snow shovel • Daily • Example: Colorado potato beetle (adults, larvae) Sanitation or ‘clean culture’

• Collect & destroy: –crop residue after harvest –culled fruit –alternate hosts –storage & processing waste • Plant clean nursery stock Removal by roguing

– Pull out infested plant – For isolated infestations only – Example: cyclamen mite on peppers Vacuum removal

• ‘BugVac’ • Colorado potato beetle in potato • Lygus bugs in strawberries • High cost machinery • Soil compaction Removal by aspirator

• Aspirator = Mouth-operated suction device • $8 – 14 from: –BioQuip –Forestry Suppliers –Gempler’s • Good for flea beetles, bean leaf beetle, cucumber beetle Flaming/burning

• Early-season control of Colorado potato beetle • Post-harvest control of squash bug Behavioral control

• by pheromones • By kairomones Commons Commons Leillinger WikiMedia via Photo by Olaf Behavioral control

• by pheromone mating disruption • pheromone = chemicals emitted for communication within a species Commons Commons Leillinger WikiMedia via Photo by Olaf Mating disruption by pheromones

• Goal: control the pest population by preventing mating, thus no fertile eggs to start the next generation • In orchards 5+ acres • Two techniques: –Male confusion technique –Attract-and-kill technique Tomato Pinworm: Mating Disruption

• Key pest in FL, CA, TX • Best where fields are isolated or whole areas are treated • Widely adopted since 1980’s, due to insecticide resistance Kairomones example: cucurbitacin • CideTrak D –Gustatory stimulant –Mix with insecticide (such as Entrust) • Bait traps –Trap-out tactic Poison bait: cucurbitacin + carbaryl (inside trap) Volatile lure: mimic squash flowers Microbial Control

Control by micro-organisms that cause disease in insect • Bacteria • Viruses • Fungi • Protozoans • Nematodes Micro-organisms for Insect Control

• Bacteria –B.T. = Bacillus thuringiensis • B.t. kurstaki (caterpillars) * • B.t. aizawai (caterpillars) * • B.t. tenebrionis (certain beetle larvae) • B.t. israelensis (mosquito larvae) –Bacillus popillae (Milky Spore)

* OMRI Micro-organisms for Insect Control

• Viruses – Cyd-X, Spod-X, Gemstar * • Fungi – Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol, Naturalis) * • Protozoans – Nosema (Hopper Stopper; Nolo Bait) * • Nematodes – Steinernema carpocapsae (Millenium) – Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Symbion)

* OMRI What is B.t.?

• A natural soil-borne bacterium • Species: Bacillus thur in gi en sis • produces crystal-like proteins that kill certain insects • Produced by fermentation methods • Discovered 1915; used since 1957 B.t. products • Sprayable –For caterpillars: •DiPel, XenTari, Biobit (Valent) •Javelin, Agree, CryMax, Deliver (Certis) –For Colorado potato beetle: •Trident (Certis) • Transgenic crops –‘Attribute’ & ‘Performance’ sweet corn How does B.t. work?

• B.t. must be eaten by target insect • B.t. contains toxins that are activated by insect’s gut enzymes • toxins paralyze insect’s digestive tract • feeding stops within 2 hours • death takes 1 - 5 days Sprayable B.t.: performance • Sometimes erratic due to: –Breakdown in U.V. light –Reduced toxicity against older larvae –Incomplete spray coverage –Too long a spray interval • Best if: –Target young larvae –Apply at 3-4 day intervals –Get thorough coverage •Lot of water (>35 gal/A) •Good pressure (60 psi) Chemical control Chemical control

• Insecticides

• Repellents

• Attractants Do any pesticides have valid place in organic agriculture?

• Strict organic practitioners: no • Many organic practitioners: yes, if natural origin OMRI: The Organic Materials Review Institute

• Certified organic growers • List of products –Fertilizers –Pesticides • Crops & processing

Example of label with OMRI logo Insecticide Classification

• By origin

• By mode of action Insecticides, by Origin • Natural – Minerals & elementals – Oils & soaps – Abrasion agents: diatomaceous earth – Botanicals (plants) ok – Microbials – Compounds derived from microbes • Synthetic – Mimics of natural insect pheromones – Mimics of natural insect hormones not – Petroleum-based synthetic chemicals ok Note on natural insecticides

• Can be toxic to natural enemies • “Natural” is not always good! Insect control products on OMRI List Category Action Item Narrow Mating disruption pheromones spectrum (behavioral control) Cause illness viruses (microbial control) bacteria Broad Cause illness fungi spectrum (microbial control) Smothering soaps, oils Abrasion diatomaceous earth Nerve poisons spinosad (Entrust) pyrethrins (PyGanic) Repellency kaolin, garlic, neem / azadirachtin Minerals & elementals

• kaolin • iron phosphate • sulfur ‘Surround’

• A.I. = kaolin (clay) • ‘Particle film technology’ • Broad spectrum crop protectant • Photosynthesis not affected • Acceptable for organic production Repellent: ‘Surround’ on pumpkin ‘Surround’ on apple Smothering or suffocation agents • oils: – from petroleum – from plants • insecticidal soaps: – potassium salts of fatty acids Abrasion agent: Diatomaceous earth

• Silicon dioxide = fossilized remains of algae • Disrupts water balance • For indoor pests: sold alone • For food crops: sold in mix with pyrethrins • Not rainfast Insecticides from plants (botanicals) • pyrethrum (chrysanthemum) • azadirachtin (neem tree) • garlic extract • [ sabadilla ] Not on OMRI list: • capsaicin (hot pepper) • nicotine (tobacco) From the neem tree

azadirachtin (extract)

neem seed oil pyrethrum (from chrysanthemum) & pyrethrins (components of pyrethrum)

• Allowed for organic: • alone • + oil • + soap pyrethrum (from chrysanthemum) & pyrethrins (components of pyrethrum)

• Allowed for organic: • alone • + oil • + soap • Not allowed: • + PBO= piperonyl butoxide What’s PBO?

• PBO = piperonyl butoxide • synthetic sassafras oil • A synergist • When mixed with some insecticides, makes them more active – Most common with pyrethrins – Also used with pyrethroids, rotenone, & carbamates • Prevents enzymes from detoxifying the a.i. before it acts on target site Efficacy of Pyrethrins

• Pyrethrins + PBO –Very effective in field & lab tests • Pyrethrins + oil –Not effective in lab tests • Pyrethrins + soap –Not effective in lab tests Microbial insecticides: cause disease in insects

• Bacteria • Viruses • Fungi • Protozoans • Nematodes Insecticides derived from microorganisms

• spinosad –from a soil actinomycete –discovered behind rum factory in Carribbean Insecticides derived from microorganisms: spinosad in ‘Entrust’

• Excellent for caterpillar control • Use 3 - 6 fl oz/acre • $403 - 489/quart! Mimics of natural insect hormones

• Types –juvenile hormone –molting hormone –chitin biosynthesis • Biorational • Not on OMRI list Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)

• Normal hormones: – Control duration of immature stages – Control when immature becomes adult • IGRs control insects by modifying normal insect development – Block ability to change immature to adult – Force change to adult before physically able to reproduce Insect Growth Regulators

• Class: hormone receptor agonists –interfere with molting hormone • tebufenozide (Confirm) • methoxyfenozide (Intrepid) –interfere with juvenile hormone • pyriproxyfen (Esteem) • neem (Azatin, Neemix) Insect Growth Regulators

• Class: chitin biosynthesis inhibitors –Interfere with formation of exoskeleton –3 types: • Caterpillars: diflubenzuron (Dimilin) • Maggots: cyromazine (Trigard) • Leafhoppers: buprofezin (Courier) Bioassays to test efficacy of insecticides on pests

• Basic set-up – 8 oz deli dish – Leaf sprayed both sides • Residual tests – Pests added after residue dry • Direct tests – Pests added before spray Bioassay Results

• % Mortality, for all pests • Damage, for chewing pests • Importance: –#1: Prevention of damage –#2: Death of pest Bean leaf beetle

o o o o Bean leaf beetle

o o o o Potato Aphid tested on tomato leaves, 10/3/2006 3 replicates/treatment, 10 aphids/replicate o

o o o A natural enemy: ladybug

o o o o o

o o o Field trial on snap bean • Late planting (seed late August) • Heavy beetle pressure • Start sprays as soon as seedlings emerge • Spray 10 times on 1- to 5-day schedule – Azadirachtin – Capsaicin – Garlic – Neem seed oil – Pyrethrins – Rotenone • Spray 5 times on 5- to 8-day schedule – Spinosad • Spray 4 times on 7- to 10-day schedule – Carbaryl – Permethrin – Endosulfan Field trial on snap beans (bean leaf beetle + spotted cucumber beetle) Trends in insecticide efficacy spectrum Exc./Good Good/Fair Fair/Poor broad pyrethrins + PBO acetamiprid neem seed oil carbaryl permethrin capsaicin esfenvalerate malathion garlic lambda-cyhalothrin pyrethrins + oil cyfluthrin pyrethrins + soap bifenthrin azadirachtin narrow spinosad B.T. soap oil rotenone endosulfan dicofol

in red if on OMRI list How to use insecticides in presence of beneficial insects?

Choose product: • Selective (by mode of action) – Kills pest but not the natural enemies – Allows natural enemies to help kill pest – Example: B.t. (‘Dipel’) or • Very short residual activity –Most botanicals How to use insecticides in presence of beneficial insects?

• Choose placement: – Selective placement • In space • In time – Provide refuge ‘Spot treatment’ allows refuge

• Spray border rows only, for pests that invade from one edge –Colorado potato beetle –Strawberry clipper weevil –Brown marmorated stink bug Biobest: Webpage & mobile app on ‘side effects’ for 21 natural enemies & 263 chemicals Biobest: 4 predators & 5 OMRI products

similar trends on chart by Koppert Trends? • Not harsh: –azadirachtin –B.T. • Harsh: –soap (potassium salts of fatty acids) • Mixed results: –spinosad –pyrethrins –mineral oil Hierarchy of harshness to natural enemies

Spray conventional (non-OMRI) >>

Spray OMRI broad spectrum (soaps, oils, botanicals, fungi) >>

Spray OMRI narrow spectrum (viruses, pheromones, bacteria) >>

No spray Costs of using chemicals for pest management?

• Input $ costs –Materials –Labor • Environmental costs EIQ= Environmental Impact Quotient

• Developed at Cornell: –Joe Kovach et al. 1992 –Website remains active • www.nysipm.cornell.edu/p ublications/eiq/ EIQ: Allows comparisons

• Basic EIQ value per chemical –Based on 14 effects: toxicity, leaching, etc. • ‘Field use EIQ calculator’ –Input name & % of active ingredient –Input application rate –Output: 1 number • Small number = low impact (good) • Large number = high impact (bad) EIQ examples Entrust Wettable Javelin SC, sulfur, (B.t.), 3 fl oz/A 12 lb/A 1 lb/A Field use 0.6 361 11.3 EIQ Consumer 0.1 92 2.1 Worker 0.3 241 5.9 Ecological 1.5 749 26.0 EIQ example: apples

Product Rate Field use EIQ Imidan 70W 3 lb/A 69 Pyganic 5EC 12 fl oz/A 1.4 Entrust SC 7 fl oz/A 1.4 Aza-Direct 24 fl oz/A 0.2 Surround WP 25 lbs/A 190 Wettable sulfur 12 lbs/A 361 EIQ example: sweet corn

Product Application Field Rate use EIQ Lannate LV 1.5 pt/A 9.6 Warrior II 1.92 fl oz/A 1.2 Coragen 3.5 fl oz/A 0.7 Entrust SC 3 fl oz/A 0.6 Examples of organic tactics

• Cole crops • Cantaloupes & squash • Sweet corn 3 cabbage caterpillars & their parasitoids

Imported cabbageworm Cotesia larvae Cotesia spinning cocoons adult wasp

Copidosoma floridanum wasps emerging from Cabbage looper one cocoon

Diadegma insulare oviposits on larvae Diamondback moth Parasitoids of Diamondback: Ohio surveys 2011-2012

from Emily Linkous Diadegma insulare, Parasitoid of Diamondback Moth Larvae

Adult wasp

Diamond- back larvae

Photo by Andrei Sourakov Diadegma insulare, Parasitoid of Diamondback Moth Larvae

• small wasp, 1/4” long • black body, red/brown marks • adult wasp lays egg in older caterpillar • new adult wasp emerges from pupa

Healthy Diamondback pupa pupae Parasitized pupae Photo by J. Ogrodnick Biocontrol of diamondback moth by Diadegma insulare in Ohio

• % of diamondback larvae attacked (Ohio 2011-2012): – 48% in plots without insecticide – 33% in plots with insecticide – 28% in commercial fields Caterpillar management on cole crops

Insecticide Imported Diamond- Cabbage Natural cabbage- back moth looper enemies worm Conventional Excellent Fair Good Poor control control control survival B.t. Good Good Fair Excellent control control control survival

Thus B.t. works best when diamondback moth or imported cabbageworm is dominant pest Integration of microbial control & biocontrol of caterpillars on cole crops

• Plant border of sweet alyssum to attract parasitoids • Use the microbial insecticide BT as a selective insecticide – ‘DiPel’, ‘Xentari’, etc. – Kills caterpillars – Does not kill parasitoids – Allows natural enemies to help kill pests • Spinosad also easy on parasitoids Choose Cabbage Variety to Avoid Thrips Less damage More damage Bravo Azan Fresco Atria Cheers Coleguard Titanic90 Megaton KingCole Upton Superkraut Hinova Data on >80 varieties Krautpacker Trials 1987-1999 Rodolpho C.Hoy, K.Scaife, Superdane M.Kleinhenz Adjust Cover Crops for Thrips • Used to protect soil over winter • Affects onion thrips –Overwinters in small grains –Does best in wheat –Does poorly in rye Adjust planting date for Cabbage Maggot

• Sprinkler irrigation affects diamondback moth (adult) – 5 minutes at dusk – Daily – Disrupts flight and mating Integrated Methods for Cole Crops

Cultural Biological Chemical • Caterpillars • Thrips • Flea beetles • Aphids • Root maggots Cucumber beetles

Damage: • Chew seedlings • Chew on fruit surface • Transmit bacterial wilt Row covers: from transplant until first female flowers (removal, July 19th) ‘Surround’ (kaolin) applied to cantaloupe after row covers removed CideTrak D • Gustatory stimulant • Buffalo gourd root powder • Cucurbitacin • Not insecticide • Mix with insecticide • 3.1 oz/A • On OMRI list (as adjuvant) • Costs $92.50 for 4-lb bag Cantaloupes surrounded by perimeter trap crop of buttercup squash Summary: Cucumber beetle management • Biological – Conserve parasitoid flies • Cultural: – Plant late (mid-June) – Perimeter trap crop • Mechanical: – Row covers – Mass trapping • Chemical – Surround – CideTrak D + Entrust Corn earworm in sweet corn

• Source: moths migrate from Southern USA • Egg laying site: on silks • Egg hatch time: 2-3 days Organic Alternative for Worms in Sweet corn: B.t. + Oil (Ruth Hazzard, Univ. Mass.)

• ‘Zea-later II’ applicator – Hand-held – $99 (Johnny’s Selected Seeds) • Mix: – 900 ml food-grade corn oil – Lecithin 5% (emulsifier) – 28.6 grams DiPel DF (a B.t.) – 100 ml water • Treat: – Once, 5 days after silking begins – Squirt 0.5 ml of oil mix into each ear tip Organic management tactics

Summary: • Many tactics available • Non-chemical: –Must be emphasized –Knowledge & labor intensive • Chemical: –Usually as last resort –Choose least disruptive product –Beware efficacy fair to poor Info on vegetable & fruit insect pest management u.osu.edu/pestmanagement/

Questions? e-mail: [email protected] phone: 614-292-2803 The end