Progress 08/15/05 to 08/14/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Kona Coffee Farmers Association in Kailua-Kona disseminated information through a presentation at a workshop in August 2008 at the UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service; and at a Trade Show in January 2009. Also through a newspaper article published in West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune Herald on Sept 21, 2008. The research continues under project 882-08G PARTICIPANTS: Virginia Easton Smith, Mark Wright, Elsie Burbano, UH Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources TARGET AUDIENCES: Coffee farmers particularly, but also other farmers who grow tree crops or have trees on their farm that are susceptible to attack by black twig borer PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Pest status and phenology of black twig borer (BTB) on coffee. Different factors affect presence and abundance of BTB populations including time of year and elevation. We determined the dynamic fluctuation of BTB during 2007 and 2008. BTB was present year round. Female population was significantly higher in 2008 than 2007. Female population began increasing in May and declined in Sept. An initial peak in flight activity was observed in June. A second and higher peak occurred in August, then the number of females decreased drastically and remained low until spring. In 2008, BTB had similar fluctuations but with higher numbers. Population began increasing in April and declined in September. Again, there were two peaks; the first in June as in 2007, but the number of beetles was higher. The second peak occurred in Aug. but was not as high as in 2007. Another factor related to BTB infestation is elevation. Farms at ~150 and 500m had a significantly higher number of females than farms at ~300 and 700m. Female population for the 700m elevation was low both years. BTB females flight in 2008 had the same elevation pattern as in 2007. There were significantly more females on farms located at 150 and 500m, than 700 and 300m. Elevation is related to presence of alternative hosts for BTB. Native plants like ohia and koa are present at high elevations; and macadamia, mango, avocado, and litchi are present in mid or low elevations. They provide a host for BTB. Results of this study increase the understanding of the interaction between BTB seasonal fluctuation and coffee phenology over time. This knowledge will help farmers to adopt an IPM program by reducing BTB infestation with the use of alternative tactics such as semiochemicals, insecticides, and cultural controls (pruning, irrigation, fertilization). Efficacy of traps, lures and repellents on coffee farms and koa nurseries. Japanese beetle trap (JBT) and multiple funnel trap (MFT) are used widely on the mainland for monitoring ambrosia beetles. This was the first attempt at monitoring BTB, testing two of the most common traps used in scolytid management. The traps were tested in a field of koa, another host of BTB. The results showed JBT attracted more BTB than MFT. Due to JBT's compact size, durability and price, they can be used for monitoring and mass trapping before BTB population reach high levels. Several lures were tested. BTB females were significantly attracted to ethanol, manuka oil and phoebe oil. These can work synergistically to improve the attraction of BTB females in a mass trapping program. JBT baited with ethanol can be used for monitoring BTB populations and to understand its population cycles. This cultural practice will enhance the ability to predict beetle activity and help to prevent higher level of infestation. Two repellents (verbenone and limonene) were also tested. JBT baited with verbenone significantly reduced the number of BTB. Semiochemicals do not remove insects from the system, however they can be part of management system that reduces beetle dispersal. The research continues under project 882-08G.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 08/15/06 to 08/14/07
Outputs
Effectiveness of different lures for trapping the black twig borer, Xylosandrus compactus. Materials and Methods In this trial we used thirty Japanese beetle traps (JB/Expando trap, TRECE Adair, Ok, USA). Traps were baited with three different lures and a control with no attractant. The attractants were dispensed as follows: ethyl alcohol in sleeves with a release rate of 7 mg/day, alpha-pinene in eppendorf tubes with a release rate of approximately 6 mg/day, and eugenol in bubble caps with a release rate of 1mg/day. To compare the effectiveness of the ethyl alcohol sleeve produced by Phero Tech Inc., (BC, Canada) and laboratory ethyl alcohol, a 15 ml plastic container with 75% ethyl alcohol was added as another treatment. The five treatments were assigned randomly to each plot. We used two traps per treatment in each plot, which total 10 Japanese beetle traps per plot. Every 2 weeks the traps were checked, and the ethanol vials were refilled. Beetles collected from
each lure were separated by species, and counted. Each one of the tree plots had two replicates per treatment. Average of X. compactus by sampling dates trapped in different lures on coffee plants: There was no significant effect in the number of BTB trapped during four sampling dates. Both ethanol 75 % vial and the ethanol pouches attracted the higher number of X. compactus compare to eugenol, alpha pinene and control. There was significant difference among the treatments in all the four sampling dates. Average of X. compactus trapped in Japanese beetle traps baited with three lures on coffee plants over four sampling dates: The number of X. compactus trapped in the Japanese beetle traps was significantly different among treatments. There was a higher number of X. compactus collected in traps baited with ethanol vials than traps baited with ethanol pouches. There were no significant difference in the number of insects trapped in eugenol, alpha pinene and control. Average of
non-target organisms over four sampling dates: While no significant differences between eugenol, alpha pinene and control treatments were observed, there was a significant number of non target organisms collected in traps baited with ethanol 75%. Other insects attracted by ethyl alcohol were Hypothenemus obscurus, Litargus vestitus, and other beetle of family Corylophidae. H. obscurus commonly called the tropical nut borer was the most abundant non target insect collected in traps baited with ethanol because it is common to have macadamia trees close to coffee field in Kona. This beetle is one of the major problem on macadamia in Hawaii, what it means that the Japanese beetle trap baited with ethanol could be also one alternative to monitoring this beetle. Insignificant number of Cryptamorpha desjardinsi (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) were found in ethanol baited traps. This predator beetle has been found inside a macadamia nut feeding on H. obscurus, and also in coffee fields and inside
the coffee berries. This predator beetle can be considered a potencial candidate for releases to control X. compactus.
Impacts
Significantly improved coffee pest managemnt, based on non-insecticidal practices.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 08/15/05 to 08/14/06
Outputs
Xylosandrus compactus compactus (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is considered the most important pest on coffee in Hawaii. The female constructs an entrance tunnel into the wood where a small cavity is formed and several eggs are deposited. The immature stages feed on a fungus Fusarium solani, that females provide the offspring. The control method used by farmers in Hawaii is to prune the infected material. This tactic reduces the vegetative material and reduces yields, and many farmers leave this material inside the coffee field, providing a reservoir of the insect in the field. Four lures for monitoring and mass trapping were tested in Kona, Hawaii to attract X. compactus. Traps baited with vials of alcohol (75%) and alcohol pouches from Phero Tech Company trapped higher numbers of X. compactus compared to the other lures, eugenol, alpha pinene and control (without lure). The use of traps baited with alcohol may provide an alternative for monitoring this
beetle and preventing an outbreak of the population.
Impacts
We expect that this project will provide basic information on black twig borer in coffee that will be invaluable in developing integrated pest management procedures for this pest in Hawai'i. This will contribute to the sustainability of the coffee industry in Hawai'i.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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