Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 2009 research emphasized work with lesser peachtree borer (Synanthedon pictipes) and peachtree borer (S. exitiosa), as the importance of this species complex continues to increase. A spring freeze, followed by flooding in the orchard during plum curculio's ground-dwelling stages, reduced plum curculio abundance to ca. perhaps 10% of normal, rendering in-orchard plum curculio evaluations moot. PARTICIPANTS: Dan L. Horton, Project Investigator. Ted Cottrell and David Shapiro-Ilan, Co-PIs or Collaborators, USDA-ARS, SE Tree Fruit & Nut Research Laboratory, Byron, GA TARGET AUDIENCES: Southeastern peach producers, focusing on Georgia and South Carolina (I have an adjunct appointment as Clemson University's extension fruit entomologist). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Lesser peachtree borer (LPTB) work predominated in 2009, as we retained a viable lab colony. Lab efficacy comparisons with LPTB ranked chlorpyrifos as the most effective insecticide, though some reduced-risk materials will merit in-orchard evaluation. Collaborative work with David Shapiro-Ilan and Ted Cottrell (USDA-ARS, SE Fruit & Nut Research Lab) demonstrated promising efficacy from entomopathogenic nematodes. Nematodes were quite effective in-orchard if they were kept moist. Work with Cottrell and Fuest (doctoral student) examined LPTB egg-laying behavior and examined levels of LPTB parasitism under varied levels of management.
Publications
- Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., T. E. Cottrell, R. F. Mizell, D. L. Horton, and J. Davis. 2009. A novel approach to biological control with entomopathogenic nematodes: prophylactic control of the peachtree borer, Synanthedon exitiosa. Biological Control 48: 259-263.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 2008 research emphasized work with lesser peachtree borer (Synanthedon pictipes) and peachtree borer (S. exitiosa), as the importance of this species complex continues to increase. Unfortunately, a severe spring freeze, followed by drought, reduced plum curculio abundance by perhaps 90%, rendering in-orchard plum curculio evaluations moot. The same cold event destroyed much of the apple crop in the Southeast. Thinning apples are needed to rear plum curculio, thus loss of 2008 apples forced us to abandon our plum curculio colony. No plum curculio laboratory studies were conducted in 2008. PARTICIPANTS: Dan L. Horton, Project Investigator, Ted Cottrell and David Shapiro-Ilan, Collaborators, USDA-ARS, SE Tree Fruit & Nut Research Laboratory, Byron, GA TARGET AUDIENCES: Southeastern peach producers, focusing on Georgia and South Carolina (I have an adjunct appointment as Clemson University's extension fruit entomologist). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Lesser peachtree borer (LPTB) work predominated in 2008, as we retained a viable lab colony. Lab efficacy comparisons with LPTB ranked chlorpyrifos as the most effective insecticide, though some reduced-risk materials will merit in-orchard evaluation. Collaborative work with David Shapiro-Ilan and Ted Cottrell (USDA-ARS, SE Fruit & Nut Research Lab) demonstrated promising efficacy from entomopathogenic nematodes. Nematodes were quite effective in-orchard if they were kept moist. Work with Cottrell and Fuest (doctoral student) examined LPTB egg-laying behavior and examined levels of LPTB parasitism under varied levels of management.
Publications
- Horton, Brannen, Bellinger & Ritchie, Editors. 2008 Southeastern peach, nectarine & plum pest management & culture guide. UGA Extension Bulletin 1171, 56 pages.
- Foshee, W., R. Boozer, E. Blythe, D. Horton & J. Burkett. 2008. Management of plum curculio and catfacing insects on peaches in central AL: standard crop stage-based vs. integrated pest management-based approaches. Intl. J. Fr. Sc. 8(3): 188-199.
- Cottrell, T., J. Fuest & D. Horton. 2008. Influences of Prunus spp., cultivars, and bark damage on ovipositional choices by the lesser peachtree borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). Environ. Entomol. 37 (6): 1508-1513.
- Horton, D. and J. Fuest. 2008. Insects and mites. In: The Peach: Botany, Production and Uses, D.R. Layne and D. Bassi. 560 pp. CAB International, Oxford, UK.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 2007 research emphasized work with lesser peachtree borer (Synanthedon pictipes) and peachtree borer (S. exitiosa), as the importance of these species complex continues to increase. And a severe spring freeze, followed by drought, reduced plum curculio abundance by perhaps 90%. PARTICIPANTS: Dan L. Horton, Project Investigator Collaborators USDA-ARS, SE Tree Fruit & Nut Research Laboratory, Byron, GA UGA Plant Pathology Clemson University, Department of Horticulture & Department of Entomology, Soils, & Plant Sciences North Carolina State University, Department of Horticulture (weed science) TARGET AUDIENCES: Southeastern peach producers, focusing on Georgia and South Carolina (I have an adjunct appointment at Clemson University and provide extension entomology support for South Carolina peaches). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Lesser peachtree borer (LPTB) work predominated, as we have a viable lab colony. Lab efficacy comparisons with LPTB ranked chlorpyrifos as the most effective insecticide, though some reduced-risk materials will certainly merit in-orchard evaluation. Collaborative work with David Shapiro-Ilan (USDA-ARS, SE Fruit & Nut Research Lab) demonstrated promising efficacy from the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae and S. riobrave. Companion studies with Shapiro-Ilan and Ted Cottrell (USDA-ARS, SE Fruit & Nut Research Lab) showed these nematodes could be extremely effective in-orchard if kept moist. Work with Cottrell and Fuest examined LPTB egg-laying behavior and examined levels of LPTB parasitism under varied levels of management.
Publications
- Fuest, J., J. McHugh, J. Pickering, and D. Horton. 2007. Electronic key to the parasitoids of peachtree borers. 33 pp. (http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20qguide=Peach)
- Horton, Brannen, Bellinger & Ritchie, Editors. 2007 Southeastern peach, nectarine & plum pest management & culture guide. UGA Extension Bulletin 1171, 56 pages
- Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., R. F. Mizell III, T. E. Cottrell, and D. L. Horton. 2007. Control of plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar, with entomopathogenic nematodes: Effects of application timing, alternate host plant, and nematode strain. Online at www.sciencedirect.com
- Lennon, S. F., G. L. Reighard, P. Schermerhorn, L. Podhorniak, and D. Horton. 2006*. Profiling presence and concentration of eighteen pesticide residues through a commercial peach canning process. Acta Hort. 713: 409-416. (*not reported in 2006 update)
- Shapira-Ilan, D. T. Cottrell, R. Mizell, and D. Horton. 2007. Microbial control of plum curculio and peachtree borers. Society of Invertebrate Pathology.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Insect and mite management options for southeastern peaches advanced modestly. Host studies with plum curculio, the most important fruit-attacking pest of peach in the Southeast provided clearer definition of re-infestation risks from wild hosts. Regulatory changes have eliminated older insecticides which were industry standards. Remaining and new materials are safer, but they are less effective tools for managing tree-pests (scale and borers) of peach. New, reduced-risk materials for mite and scale materials are effective. Viable controls for lesser peachtree borers are lacking and alternative options are being explored. Collaborative work with Ted Cottrell (USDA) and David Lockwood (UT) is examining the influence of tree-training on borers. Meaningful cultural mitigation of borer pressure would be affordable and complement other IPM tactics.
Impacts
2006 fruit-protection insecticide efficacy trials with newer pyrethroid and neonicotinoid compounds showed promise. Use of compounds from either of these classes typically increases the risk of scale and/or mite outbreaks. As peach labels are granted, the more effective materials in 2006 trials will be recommended for commercial use.
Publications
- Foshee, W., D. Horton, R. Boozer, E. Blythe, and J. Samples. 2005. Dermal efficacy evaluation of new insecticides for control of plum curculio in peaches. Intl. J. Fr. Sci. 5: 19-27.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Insect and mite management options for southeastern peaches advanced modestly in 2005. Host studies with plum curculio, the most important fruit-attacking pest of peach in the Southeast provided clearer definition of re-infestation risks from wild hosts. Over the past 15 years regulatory decisions have eliminated or restricted use of highly effective, older organophosphate insecticides. These changes have resulted in tremendous increases in pest pressure from tree-attacking pests, notably borers, scale and mites. 2004-2005 labeling of effective reduced risk mite and scale materials gave growers needed tools to manage these increasingly important pests. Viable controls for lesser peachtree borer are being sought. Collaborative work with Cottrell and Shapiro-Ilan (USDA, ARS) has shown promise using entomopathogenic nematodes and mating disruption as potential controls for borers in southeastern peaches.
Impacts
2005 fruit-protection efficacy work with newer pyrethroid insecticides showed promise. Use of these materials would further exacerbate scale and mite problems. However, if they do well in 2006 trials, they may finally provide growers with truly efficacious, affordable, non-organophosphate controls for key in-season pests.
Publications
- Jenkins, D., T. Cottrell, D. Horton, A. Hodges and G. Hodges. 2005. Host of plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in central Georgia. Environ. Entomol. 35:48-55.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Plum Curculio Biology. Model validation data from one site in GA and two sites in SC were gathered and used in plum curculio model validation and refinement. Similar efforts will be expanded to additional sites during 2005 season. Plum curculio mobility studies were conducted via extensive physical monitoring (jarring) of adult beetles. Preliminary mapping studies to begin the process of assessing their speed of movement from wild hosts into orchards were encouraging. Additional data will be gathered for several more seasons. Small apple orchards, which will provide hard, highly-storable apples for rearing plum curculio in the laboratory, and small peach orchards to facilitate both monitoring and collection of plum curculio were either planted this fall or will be planted this spring at several experiment station and on-farm sites in the Southeast. Low-risk, organophosphate replacement insecticide trials. Isolated, but severe, spring events forced abandonment of
trials in three geographically separate orchards. Fruit loss was almost immediate in two orchards, with the third block suffering season-long decline in crop load and quality, with eventual aborting of the trial.
Impacts
Safer, more cost-effective peach insect pest management systems are being developed for southeastern peach growers. Pest biology studies are facilitating development of more evolved management options. Insecticide trials will continue to incrementally mitigate dietary, worker safety and environmental concerns that exist with some peach insecticide options.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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