DEVELOPING INTEGRATED FRUITWORM CONTROL STRATEGIES FOR BLUEBERRY IN PREPARATION FOR PESTICIDE RESTRICTIONS

To prevent infestation of highbush blueberries by fruitworms, growers employ pheromone-baited traps to monitor adult moths and apply insecticides to fields at risk from infestation by the larvae of these pests.
However, there are increasing restrictions on availability of broad-spectrum insecticides and monitoring traps have not been used to predict optimal timing of controls for these species due to the lack of a degree-day model.
We are developing an IPM program that integrates monitoring traps with degree-day models to provide optimal life-stage timing of reduced-risk insecticides for control of fruitworms while maintaining biological control activity.
Bioassays with biological control agents provide support for the role of conservation strategies to maintain beneficial insects.
This project will help achieve the long-term goal of improving yield and quality while reducing environmental impact and worker risk in blueberry production.

IX International Vaccinium Symposium

R. Isaacs, J.C. Wise, C. Garcia-Salazar

Vaccinium corymbosum, Acrobasis vaccinii, Grapholita packardii, integrated pest management, phenology models, biocontrol, insecticides

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.810.33