Polyphemus MothFamily Saturniidae

Integrated Pest Managementfor

Greenhouse and NurseryInsect Pests

Jen BerghTechnical Support Specialist

Turf & Ornamentals

Outline

Horticultural Production Environment

Pest Damage

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Decision Making

Programs & Rotations

Recipe for an Insect Pest

Fecundity – many offspring

Fast generations (enhanced by temp, H2O & sometimes N)

High rate of mutation: evolving resistance

No or few natural predators

Concentration of favored resource

Dispersal: ability to escape controls

Recruitment: ability to migrate into previously controlled areas

The Horticultural Production Environment

Concentrated resources

Life history escape hatches

Pest adaptations

Population dynamics

Thresholds

Pest Damage

Types of damage Feeding – herbivory (direct) Egg laying – oviposition (direct) Nuisance - presence Disease transmission – vectoring

(indirect)

Consequences

Scouting & ecological watch-outs

Scouting Watchouts

Which is mite damage? Which is thrips damage?

Cryptic Pests

Scouting Watchouts

Cryptic Life Stages

Cryptic Life Stages

Ecological Watchouts

Weather patterns – T, H, W

Microclimate

Crop transitions & refugia

Plant nutrition

Micro and macro-organisms

Population and genetic shifts

Integrated Pest Management

Scouting

Thresholds

Cultural &

mechanical tools

Biological tools

Chemical tools

Resistance Mgmt

Decision Making

Setting: Nurseries Greenhouses Landscapes Turf

Thresholds & tolerance

Budget

Recipe for Effective Insect IPM

Identify the insect & know its life cycle

Treat susceptible life stage(s)

Prevent resistance with multiple MOAs, rotation programs

Use cultural controls to enhance insecticide efficacy: sanitationMonitor biological controls carefully – temp, light, N, vectoring

Scout regularly to stay ahead of populations

Treat before crop reaches the damage threshold

Case Study: Spider Mites

SE US foliage greenhouse with population resurgence after knockdown miticide treatments

Perennial mite populationUsually just under thresholdMid-July scouting revealed rising populationPreventative apps -> rescue application

Case Study: Spider Mites

Egg to Adult:

@ 50-68°F = 28 days

@ 77-95°F = 8 days

One female ≈ 50 offspringExponential growth curve @ 80°F =13 X 106 mites/month =13,000,000 spider mites

Case Study: Spider Mites

SE US foliage greenhouse with population resurgence after knockdown miticide treatments

Rescue applications of miticide No ovicidal activity Imperfect spray coverage Infrequent scouting Autumn: population peaks with reproductive

females getting ready to overwinter

Case Study: Tetranychid Mites

Recommendation:

Improve spray coverage

Increase scouting Scout sex ratios +

presence of eggs Scout <7 day intervals

Rotation Partners Pylon Miticide Another MOA Miticide Extoxazole (MGR)* Ultra-Pure Oil*

MGRs and Oils

Etoxazole: Beethoven TR TetraSan Other MGRs and IGRs – target your pest

Oils Ultra-Pure Oil from BASF Highly refined, clean oil

Applying oils: Seasonally UV more risky than humidity Consider nighttime applications Test plants + weather patterns

Programs & Rotations

Axioms - SOPs

Rotations

Careful preventative applications

Preventing vs. managing resistance

Resistance Management

Rotate MOAs in program

Avoid >2 applications with AI or in MOA

Avoid sublethal doses

Improve spray coverage

Use multifaceted approach – eg., biologicals + cultural + chemical controls; contacts vs. systemics

Modes of Action – IRAC Groups

Modes of Action – IRAC Groups

Resistance

Prevention: <3 applications of the same MOA Avoid sublethal doses

Be aware of non-target insects and dose responses

Management: Identify new MOAs Create new rotations Use mechanical controls Isolate crops

Resistance

Use Insect Growth Regulators – IGRs Avoid increasing reproductives Stop maturation Prevent ovipositioning

IGRs or MGRs should be part of every insect rotation program

Conclusion

Open, dynamic systems

Tools

Information resources: CPS, BASF, universities, IR-4, consultants, other hort professionals

Contact

Jen BerghTechnical Support Specialist

Turf & Ornamentals

jennifer.bergh@parnters.basf.com

(541) 908-5164