Articles
Inundative releases of Trichogramma spp. to control the blackheaded fireworm and cranberry fruitworm
Article number
1440_28
Pages
199 – 206
Language
English
Abstract
The blackheaded, Rhopobota naevana (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and the cranberry fruitworm, Acrobasis vaccinii Riley (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) are both major cranberry pests in Quebec, as in most North American growing regions.
Currently, population management mostly relies on chemical control.
However, very few organically certified insecticides are registered in Canada, and those can be insufficient to limit crop losses.
In addition, even though they are bio-insecticides, they nonetheless carry risks for human health and the environment, and their repeated use can lead to the development of resistance.
The lack of available control methods in organic production thus motivated the search for insecticide alternatives, including the use of egg parasitoids for the genus Trichogramma. Multiple studies focused on identifying promising strains and species to control the blackheaded fireworm and cranberry fruitworm.
However, their efficacy has never been evaluated on a large scale in Quebec, mainly because of the lack of safe and efficient release methods.
Herein we aimed to develop and test two mechanized release methods for Trichogramma spp. and identify their optimal use parameters.
More specifically, the effect of the machinery mechanical components, operation parameters, and field incubation environmental conditions on parasitoid emergence were assessed along with the resulting parasitism levels on targeted pests.
This six-year project allowed the development of a direct injection spraying device compatible with most boom sprayers for the application of Trichogramma spp. pupae in aqueous solution, identify optimal application timings and associated mass rearing requirements but also generate parasitoid efficacy data against the blackheaded fireworm and cranberry fruitworm in commercial organic cranberry bogs.
Currently, population management mostly relies on chemical control.
However, very few organically certified insecticides are registered in Canada, and those can be insufficient to limit crop losses.
In addition, even though they are bio-insecticides, they nonetheless carry risks for human health and the environment, and their repeated use can lead to the development of resistance.
The lack of available control methods in organic production thus motivated the search for insecticide alternatives, including the use of egg parasitoids for the genus Trichogramma. Multiple studies focused on identifying promising strains and species to control the blackheaded fireworm and cranberry fruitworm.
However, their efficacy has never been evaluated on a large scale in Quebec, mainly because of the lack of safe and efficient release methods.
Herein we aimed to develop and test two mechanized release methods for Trichogramma spp. and identify their optimal use parameters.
More specifically, the effect of the machinery mechanical components, operation parameters, and field incubation environmental conditions on parasitoid emergence were assessed along with the resulting parasitism levels on targeted pests.
This six-year project allowed the development of a direct injection spraying device compatible with most boom sprayers for the application of Trichogramma spp. pupae in aqueous solution, identify optimal application timings and associated mass rearing requirements but also generate parasitoid efficacy data against the blackheaded fireworm and cranberry fruitworm in commercial organic cranberry bogs.
Publication
Authors
D. Labarre, D. Cormier, E. Lucas
Keywords
Acrobasis vaccinii, biological control, mechanization, parasitoids, integrated pest management, Rhopobota naevana
Online Articles (74)