Progress 08/01/08 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The swede midge poses a serious threat to cruciferous vegetables and field crops. It was first identified in Ontario, Canada in 2000 and in the United States in 2004 in Niagara Co., NY. It is now known to be widespread throughout New York State and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Swede midge has the potential to spread to most crucifer growing areas of North America. The Cornell Team of Shelton, Kikkert, Hoepting, and Chen, in collaboration with Canadian colleagues at the University of Guelph, have conducted research and education on swede midge since 2001. In 2010, we created the Swede Midge Information Center Website, a major resource for growers, researchers, extension educators and governmental agencies, http://web.entomology.cornell.edu/shelton/swede-midge/biology.html. This website contains information on insect distribution, biology, detection and management. Our updated Best Management Practices Guide also now resides on this site. We continue to work with IPM coordinators in numerous states who are monitoring for this pest. Our extension team also fielded numerous questions from growers who needed help in swede midge identification and management on their farm. PARTICIPANTS: Mao Chen conducted much of the laboratory and field work on the biology and management of swede midge. J. Kikkert and C. Hopeting conducted much of the outreach program of the project, including playing a critical role in developing the website and running workshops with growers. Shelton was the overall coordinator of the project and helped in all phases of the work. The NY cabbage association and the NY State Department of Agriculture and Markets also helped disseminate information on management of swede midge. We also distributed information to all the IPM coordinators in the US. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience was crucifer vegetable and field crop growers nationally and the extension services that serve them. One of our goals was to develop educational materials and provide information to end users through: i) development of a national SM resource website, ii) provide regular communication and updates to state and regional IPM centers, the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), the National Invasive Species Information Center, eXtension, Master Gardener Coordinators, and others, and iii) serve as speakers in other states. All of this was accomplished. In addition, we developed an enhanced Best Management Practices Guide. All of this information is available at http://web.entomology.cornell.edu/shelton/swede-midge/biology.html. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Swede midge is a tiny pest that is difficult to detect by untrained personnel. In Canada, the insect went undetected for years, which allowed for the build-up of high insect populations and resulted in severe crop damage. Hundreds of crucifer growers and crop scouts in NY have been educated about this pest. CCE educators worked individually with infested farms to develop a plan to monitor and manage swede midge in their operations. Growers are now well equipped with a Best Management Practices Guide that includes information about swede midge biology, monitoring procedures, and both chemical and non-chemical management. A chief research finding is the use of crop rotation to manage the pest. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the effectiveness on swede midge control by 11 simulated cauliflower-sweet corn and cauliflower-kidney bean crop rotation systems, with and without the presence of cruciferous weeds as alternative hosts, was evaluated. Our results indicated that when soil was infested with swede midge pupae, the emergence pattern from the soil was very similar regardless if the soil was later planted to host or non-host plants. Since emergence was not affected, we examined whether manipulating host availability for oviposition through crop rotation would be effective. Our results indicated that the simulated cauliflower-sweet corn, and cauliflower-kidney bean rotation systems provided full control of swede midge. The effectiveness of one cycle of non-host crop rotation was reduced when cruciferous weeds were present; however the swede midge population in a one-cycle non-host rotation system with cruciferous weeds present was significantly lower than that in a non-rotation system. Two consecutive cycles (simulating a cropping season) of non-host plant crop rotations provided full control of swede midge regardless of the presence of the cruciferous weeds. In addition to these studies, work has also shown that placing a 80-85 cm barrier fence around a broccoli field lowered the infestation level compared to those with a crop barrier or no barrier. Information on insecticide control has also been developed. Admire Pro applied at transplanting provided protection of the transplanted broccoli, as defined by damage ratings of less than 1, for a minimum of 34 days. These remarkable finding shows that SM can be controlled in heavily infested areas through judicious use of insecticides and crop rotation. The information developed at Cornell and the University of Guelph is also being shared with other states to alert them of this pest and assist them with insect monitoring and management. The proactive response of the Cornell team has reduced the risk for potential crop damage that could result in millions of dollars lost to the crucifer industry in New York and other states.
Publications
- Chen, M., A. M. Shelton, R. H. Hallett, C. A. Hoepting, J. R. Kikkert and P. Wang. 2011. Swede midge, 10 years of invasion of crucifer crops in North America. J. Econ. Entomol. (in press).
- Heal, J. R. Hallet, A. Shelton and D. Olmstead. 2011. Control of swede midge on broccoli, 2010. Arthropod Mgt Arthropod Mgt (in press)
- Chen, M. and A. M. Shelton. 2010. Effect of insect density, plant age and residue duration on acetamiprid efficacy against swede midge. J. Econ. Entomol. (in press) Chen, M, W. Li and A. M. Shelton. 2009. Simulated crop rotation systems control swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Keiffer). Entomol. Expt. Appl. 133:84-91.
- Kikkert, J., C. Hopeting, A. M. Shelton, M. Chen, P. Wang, Q. Wu and J. Zhao. 2010. Swede Midge Information Center for the US. http://web.entomology.cornell.edu/shelton/swede-midge/biology.html. Chen, M, W. Li and A. M. Shelton. 2009. Simulated crop rotation systems control swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Keiffer). Entomol. Expt. Appl. 133:84-91.
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Progress 08/01/09 to 07/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The swede midge is a relatively new insect pest in North America and poses a serious threat to cruciferous vegetables and field crops. It was first identified in Ontario, Canada in 2000 and in the United States in 2004 in Niagara Co., NY. It is now known to be widespread throughout New York State and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Swede midge has the potential to spread to most crucifer growing areas of North America. The Cornell Team of Shelton, Kikkert, Hoepting, and Chen have conducted research and education on swede midge since 2001 and are uniquely positioned to be the resource hub in the U.S. for this pest. In 2010, we created the Swede Midge Information Center Website, a major resource for growers, researchers, extension educators and governmental agencies. This website contains information on insect distribution, biology, detection and management. Our updated Best Management Practices Guide also now resides on this site. We continue to work with IPM coordinators in numerous states who are monitoring for this pest. Our extension team also fielded numerous questions from growers who needed help in swede midge identification and management on their farm. PARTICIPANTS: Mao Chen conducted much of the laboratory and field work on the biology and management of swede midge. J. Kikkert and C. Hopeting conducted much of the outreach program of the project, including playing a critical role in developing the website and running workshops with growers. Shelton was the overall coordinator of the project and helped in all phases of the work. The NY cabbage association and the NY State Department of Agriculture and Markets also helped disseminate information on management of swede midge. We also distributed information to all the IPM coordinators in the US. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience was crucifer vegetable and field crop growers nationally and the extension services that serve them. One of our goals was to develop educational materials and provide information to end users through: i) development of a national SM resource website, ii) provide regular communication and updates to state and regional IPM centers, the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), the National Invasive Species Information Center, eXtension, Master Gardener Coordinators, and others, and iii) serve as speakers in other states. All of this was accomplished. In additon, we developed an enhanced Best Management Practices Guide. All of this information is available at www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/swedemidge/ PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Swede midge is a tiny pest that is difficult to detect by untrained personnel. In Canada, the insect went undetected for years, which allowed for the build-up of high insect populations and resulted in severe crop damage. Hundreds of crucifer growers and crop scouts in NY have been educated about this pest. CCE educators worked individually with infested farms to develop a plan to monitor and manage swede midge in their operations. Growers are well equipped with a Best Management Practices Guide which includes information about swede midge biology, monitoring procedures, and both chemical and non-chemical management. A chief research finding is the use of crop rotation to manage the pest. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the effectiveness on swede midge control by 11 simulated cauliflower-sweet corn and cauliflower-kidney bean crop rotation systems, with and without the presence of cruciferous weeds as alternative hosts, was evaluated. Our results indicated that when soil was infested with swede midge pupae, the emergence pattern from the soil was very similar regardless if the soil was later planted to host or non-host plants. Since emergence was not affected, we examined whether manipulating host availability for oviposition through crop rotation would be effective. Our results indicated that the simulated cauliflower-sweet corn, and cauliflower-kidney bean rotation systems provided full control of swede midge. The effectiveness of one cycle of non-host crop rotation was reduced when cruciferous weeds were present; however the swede midge population in a one-cycle non-host rotation system with cruciferous weeds present was significantly lower than that in a non-rotation system. Two consecutive cycles (simulating a cropping season) of non-host plant crop rotations provided full control of swede midge regardless of the presence of the cruciferous weeds. The information developed at Cornell is also being shared with other states to alert them of this pest and assist them with insect monitoring and management. The proactive response of the Cornell team has reduced the risk for potential crop damage that could result in millions of dollars lost to the crucifer industry in New York and other states.
Publications
- Chen, M., A. M. Shelton, R. H. Hallett, C. A. Hoepting, J. R. Kikkert and P. Wang. 2011. Swede midge, 10 years of invasion of crucifer crops in North America. J. Econ. Entomol. (in press).
- Chen, M. and A. M. Shelton. 2010. Effect of insect density, plant age and residue duration on acetamiprid efficacy against swede midge.
- J. Econ. Entomol. (in press) Chen, M, W. Li and A. M. Shelton. 2009. Simulated crop rotation systems control swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Keiffer). Entomol. Expt. Appl. 133:84-91.
- Kikkert, J., C. Hopeting, A. M. Shelton, M. Chen, P. Wang, Q. Wu and J. Zhao. 2010. Swede Midge Information Center for the US. www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/swedemidge/
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Progress 08/01/08 to 07/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Under controlled laboratory conditions, the effectiveness on C. nasturtii control by 11 simulated cauliflower-sweet corn and cauliflower-kidney bean crop rotation systems, with and without the presence of cruciferous weeds as alternative hosts, was evaluated. Our results indicated that when soil was infested with C. nasturtii pupae, the emergence pattern from the soil was very similar regardless if the soil was later planted to host or non-host plants. Since emergence was not affected, we examined whether manipulating host availability for oviposition through crop rotation would be effective. Our results indicated that the simulated cauliflower-sweet corn, and cauliflower-kidney bean rotation systems provided full control of C. nasturtii. The effectiveness of one cycle of non-host crop rotation was reduced when cruciferous weeds were present; however the C. nasturtii population in a one-cycle non-host rotation system with cruciferous weeds present was significantly lower than that in a non-rotation system. Two consecutive cycles (simulating a cropping season) of non-host plant crop rotations provided full control of C. nasturtii, regardless of the presence of the cruciferous weeds. These laboratory results are being explored further in field tests conducted in 2009. PARTICIPANTS: Participants who worked on the research part of the project from the Entomology Department at Geneva are Dr. M. Chen, Dr. P. Wang, Ms. W. Kain and Dr. A. M. Shelton. Drs. R. Hallett and M. Sears from the Department of Environmental Biology at the University of Guelph also worked on the research part and Dr. J. Kikkert and Ms. C. Hoepting worked on extension outreach efforts. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences are growers and processors of crucifer vegetable and field crops. They have been an integral part of the outreach efforts. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Our confined cage studies indicated that C. nasturtii could not pass to the next generation when provided with one season of non-host plants (sweet corn or kidney beans), or two consecutive seasons of non-preferable host plants (shepherd's purse and wild mustard). Thus, it is clear that the lack of a suitable food source caused the termination of C. nasturtii life cycle in our confined cage studies. This indicates that crop rotation may be a suitable management tool for this insect.
Publications
- Chen, M, W. Li and A. M. Shelton. 2009. Simulated crop rotation systems control swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Keiffer). Entomol. Expt. Appl. (in press)
- Hallett, R. H., M. Chen, M. K. Sears and A. M. Shelton. 2009. Insecticide management strategies for control of the swede midge on cole crops. J. Econ. Entomol. (in press)
- Chen, M., A. M. Shelton, P. Wang, C. A. Hoepting, W. C. Kain and D. C. Brainard. 2009. Occurrence of the new invasive insect, Contarinia nasturtii, on cruciferous weeds. J. Econ. Entomol. 102: 115-120.
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