Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: This project targeted all stakeholders in ornamental potted plant production and export industries in Hawaii and destination markets. Target audiences included nursery growers and shippers of plant material and landscapers (Hawaii Export Nursery Association, Big Island Association of Nurserymen, Hawaii Island Landscape Association), “first responders” to pest infestation situations, such as pest control operators, county, state and federal agencies (Hawaii Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture APHIS, City and County Parks and Recreation), agrochemical companies, research and extension faculty and staff at University of Hawaii campuses and facilities, homeowners and the general public who play an important role in the detection of incoming pests and the spread of existing pests throughout the state, and elected officials who are instrumental in bringing awareness to conditions at the state, county and national levels. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The presentation “Sending Pest-Free Products to California” was conducted throughout the state on Maui (Kahului and Hana, November 2012, 20 participants at each presentation), O?ahu (Pearl City Urban Garden Center, April 2013, 23 participants), Hawai?i Island (University of Hawai?i at Hilo campus, June 2013, 68 participants), and Kaua?i (Lihu?e, Kaua?i County Building, August 2013, 9 participants) for Compliance Agreement (CA) holders, other growers and shippers of agricultural products (members of Hawai?i Export Nursery Association, Hawai?i Floriculture and Nursery Association, Big Island Association of Nurserymen), USDA and HDOA personnel, and University of Hawai`i extension faculty and staff. The two-hour session "Sending Pest-Free Products to California", covered Hawai?i import and export regulations for agricultural products, California Department of Food and Agriculture’s inspection process, pests most commonly rejected in shipments from Hawai?i, improving self-inspection for common pests, “systems approach” to pest management, and newer insecticide options and application methods. The class was approved by Hawai?i Department of Agriculture for 2 credits toward pesticide applicator recertification (Hilo, Lihu?e). The presentation in Hilo was held in conjunction with a conference “2013 Risk Management Floriculture Road Show” coordinated by the University of Hawai?i CTAHR, and included displays of lures and traps for monitoring specific pests and live samples of pests and their characteristic plant damage along with hand lens and field microscopes and cameras to assist participants with identification. Exit evaluations completed after the presentations indicated 75 to 100% of respondents were made aware of a practice they can implement immediately to reduce their risk of exporting plant material harboring quarantine pests and rejections at the destination ports. There was increased awareness of the roles of USDA, HDOA, and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the most commonly intercepted pests and host plant material exported from Hawai`i, and available options for management and control throughout the nursery production timeline (systems approach).The presentation is posted on the PI’s website http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/haraa/grower.asp As a result of exchange of information on IPM strategies and a systems approach to pest management through in-state presentations, 10 potted foliage plant nurseries in Hawaii County signed on as cooperators to implement pest control measures to produce pest-free plants for export. Strategies include surveying for and mapping pest populations, use of low risk pesticides and application techniques, crop sanitation, conservation of beneficial predators and parasitoids, and use of physical barriers, and post-harvest strategies include low-risk pesticides, irradiation, cold, heat, and/or controlled atmosphere treatments. Pre- and post-training interviews indicate: 1) increased willingness to reduce the use of broad-spectrum insecticides and calendar spraying and to rotate among chemical classes to prevent development of insect pesticide resistance, 2) increased ability to identify pests and their damage and to differentiate between beneficial and harmful arthropods, and 3) heightened awareness that managing pests throughout all phases of production in a systems approach rather than relying on a quarantine treatment just prior to export will likely result in cleaner plants and lower pest interceptions and shipment rejections. In addition to Guam and Japan, international interest in the feasibility of heat treatments for floriculture and other plant products have increased the likelihood of Korea and Thailand implementing such quarantine treatments, which will reduce the number of alien pest species originating from those countries from entering the United States. Open dialogue with California inspectors is continuing on behalf of Hawaii nursery product shippers. In March 2013, two presentations were shared with over 45 inspectors who inspect all incoming Hawaii products: “Hawaii’s Effort to Send Clean Nursery Stock to California”(San Diego County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures) and “Slug Control Efforts in Hawaii” (San Marcos Community Center). Discussion included hot water treatments that are effective on slugs and addressing cleaner commercial and individual shipments from Hawaii. The USDA Compliance Agreement program can be strengthened by implementing mandatory educational meetings for CA holders following rejections before shipments can resume. More public outreach (press releases, brochures, television announcements, newspapers, social media) is needed, especially for those commodities most often rejected, herbs and cut flowers and foliage (including leis), and shipments by non-CA holders, especially for one-time occasions (luau, weddings, graduation, college Hawaii clubs). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Research results were presented at over 20 meetings and conferences in the state and at the national and international levels for ornamental plant growers, landscapers, government agencies, and research and extension faculty (see Other Products). Heat quarantine treatment results were presented at two international conferences in 2012 for research and extension faculty, import and export producers, and government agencies in Daegu, Korea and Bangkok, Thailand (Keynote Speaker). Training sessions were held at the Landscapers’ Conference on Maui in August 2013, for the annual training of Master Gardeners in Hilo in 2014, and for novice vegetable farmers and home gardeners in Waimea on the Big Island in March 2014. Their role as first detectors of pests not yet known to occur in the state was emphasized. These presentations are available for viewing and downloading at the PI's website http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/haraa/index.asp Other outreach activities included an educational booth at the Big Island Association of Nurserymen’s (BIAN) Plant Sale in Hilo (April 2013, September 2013, March 2014, approximately 1,000 attendees at each event) with interactive displays (digital microscope attached to laptop computer monitor to view common insects and their damage), educational pest posters, and pest identification handouts. Research results from this project generated 25 publications ranging from peer-reviewed articles in research journals to extension publications of best management practices and recommendations for little fire ants, coqui frogs, and post-harvest heat treatments. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The little fire ant (LFA) Wasmannia auropunctata was first detected in Hawaii in 1999 and is now widespread in many areas on the Big Island, Kauai, Maui and Oahu, posing a stinging threat to residents, visitors, and animals, and quarantine concerns for nurseries exporting plant material. LFA is difficult to control with commercially available ant bait products formulated for red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). Although the active ingredients are presumed to be as effective on other fire ant species, including LFA, their food source component may not suit LFA preferences and the carrier, most often defatted corn grit, makes application difficult to strata other than ground nesting sites. Sunlight and rainfall jeopardize the efficacy and integrity of dry granular baits under tropical climatic conditions. Research trials evaluated the efficacy of insecticidal ant baits and hot water treatments on LFA. Two applications of Extinguish Plus granular bait (0.365% hydramethylnon + 0.25% S-methoprene) or BAS 320 I 240 SC (24% metaflumizone) as a spray one month apart reduced foraging LFA worker numbers by >97% as compared to untreated controls for up to 7 wk after the first application. Metaflumizone also proved its persistence when exposed to weather for up to 14 d: Siesta Fire Ant Bait (0.63% metaflumizone) applied fresh or after 7 days of weather exposure resulted in >98% LFA mortality; bait exposed to weather for 14 d before application still achieved >90% mortality. Probait (0.73% hydramethylnon) and Extinguish Plus achieved 95-100% mortality of workers and queens at 7 wk after treatment (WAT) and were more effective (P<0.05) than Advion (0.22% indoxacarb), Extinguish Professional (0.5% S-methoprene), or peanut butter infused with 0.18% indoxacarb. Baits containing the insect growth regulator S-methoprene, Extinguish Professional (in soybean oil/corn grit matrix) and two concentrations of Tango (0.25% and .50% S-methoprene, both in a peanut butter matrix) required 12 wk before mortality exceeded 80%, and 16 wk to achieve >95% mortality. Although there were no differences in efficacy between the three S-methoprene treatments, in a field choice test, ants displayed almost 100% aversion toward Extinguish Professional. Evidently, the high attractancy of peanut butter in Tango mixtures offset repellency of S-methoprene. In vitro submersion of LFA in 45 C water for 10 min resulted in >99% mortality as compared to 28.9% mortality from submersion in ambient temperature water (26 C) for 12 min. When LFA-infested potted plants were drenched with hot water (45.6 C) for 11 min, LFA numbers were reduced by 99.3 and 89.3% in rhapis and fishtail palms. A combination of insecticidal baits and sprays along with hot water treatment can be an effective quarantine protocol against little fire ants in containerized nursery plants for export and provide effective tools to eradicate and contain LFA under tropical conditions. These results were published as a technical report in Arthropod Management Tests and in the proceedings of the 2013 Imported Fire Ant Conf., Virginia Beach, VA. The anthurium whitefly (Aleurotulus anthuricola), anthurium thrips (Chaetanaphothrips orchidii,) and banana rust thrips (Chaetanaphothrips signipennis) are major pests of anthuriums for which standard control practices are routine applications of organophosphate (OP) foliar insecticides at 2-wk intervals. A study to control anthurium whitefly compared the efficacy of Core Tect Tree and Shrub Insecticide Tablets (20% imidacloprid + 12:9:4(NPK) fertilizer), 3 tablets per 7x7x14” pot) inserted into the cinder media of potted anthurium plants to foliar applications of OPs (Dimethoate 400, 10 ml per gal; Malathion 5EC, 20 ml per gal) applied alternately at 2-wk intervals for 10 wk. There were no differences in levels of whitefly infestation between the OP-treated plants and Core Tect-treated plants from pretreatment through the 11 WAT. When foliar spraying stopped at 10 WAT, whitefly populations began to build. By 14 WAT, there was a marked decrease in whitefly numbers among the Core Tect-treated plants as compared with OP-treated plants and the efficacy of imidacloprid persisted until 29 WAT with no phytotoxicity observed. Another study was conducted on flowering anthurium plants to evaluate the efficacy of Merit FXT tablets (20% imidacloprid, 3 tablets per 7x7x14” pot) and BYI 08330 240 SC (22.43% spirotetramat) applied as a foliar spray (3.4 fl oz per 100 gal with Silwet L-77, applied twice 2 wk apart) or drench (1.5 g AI/ft height) against anthurium thrips, banana rust thrips, and anthurium whitefly. Thrips damage to flowers on all treated and untreated plants were comparable through 16 WAT. Both drench and foliar applications of spirotetramat and imidacloprid tablets reduced whitefly infestations from 3 to 17 WAT as compared to the untreated control (P<0.05). From 3 to 11 WAT, spirotetramat was more effective (P<0.05) at reducing whitefly numbers than imidacloprid. The use of the imidacloprid tablets and/or spirotetramat drench in potting media or spirotetramat as a foliar spray against the anthurium whitefly and thrips will significantly reduce the use of broad spectrum foliar organophosphate insecticides that is highly toxic to humans and non-target organisms. Citric acid is currently the only legal chemical recommendation for coqui frog control in Hawaii; however, prolonged contact with 16% citric acid solution necessary to kill coqui frogs can damage sensitive plant species and tender growing tissue. Commercial growers and shippers need alternate treatments to export coqui-free plants, and since many growers transport their plants in refrigerated containers, this project determined that coqui frogs could not tolerate temperatures lower than 5.5 C for 72 h or longer. Survival rates steadily increased as temperatures increased: no mortality occurred at 7.7 C or higher. Shorter exposure times also increased survival rates: no mortality occurred with 48 h exposure at 5.5 C. Subsequent trials were conducted to determine the temperature at which shorter exposure times would be lethal. Adult and subadult coqui frogs (n=15) could not survive 24-h exposure at 4.2 C or 12-h exposure at 3.3 oC. Eggs (n=68), which are more tolerant of cold, required 30-h exposure at 3.3 oC. Two nurseries are interested in implementing cold air treatment for potted plants, and have been cooperators in these trials. A summary of these results were submitted to Hawaii Department of Agriculture to establish and approve cold air treatments as a quarantine treatment for coqui frogs. Several reduced-risk insecticides were evaluated against root mealybug (Rhizoecus hibisci) in potted Rhapis robusta palms. Single drench applications of Acelepryn (chlorantraniliprole, 0.8ml/100 g), Aria 50SG (flonicamid, 120g/100 gal), Safari 20SG (dinotefuran, 60 g/ft plant height) and Kontos (spirotetramat, 3.4 fl oz/ 100 gal) were applied (200 ml per 3.8 liter pot to penetrate the root zone). Kontos (3.4 fl oz/100 gal) was applied as a foliar spray until runoff twice 2 wk apart. Live adult and nymph stage mealybug were counted initially and 4 wk after initial treatments by carefully removing the plants from their pots to inspect the media and roots adjacent to the pot wall for live mealybugs with minimal disruption and exposure to light. There were no pre-treatment differences in live count means between treatment groups. All treatments lowered root mealybug populations as compared to the check (P<0.05); however, Aria and Safari 20 SG drenches and either Kontos applied as a drench or foliar spray provided better control than Acelepryn drench (P<0.05). These results were published as a technical report in Arthopod Management Tests and were shared with potted ornamental plant growers as recommendations to effectively control root mealybug infestations.
Publications
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Hara, A.H., Kishimoto, C.M. and Niino-DuPonte, R.Y. 2013. Host range of the nettle caterpillar Darna pallivitta (Moore) (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) in Hawaii. pp. 183-191. In J.E. Pena (ed.) Potential Invasive Pests of Agricultural Crops. CAB International, Oxfordshire, UK.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Hollingsworth, R.G., Calvert, F. and Hara, A.H. 2012. Dichromothrips smithi (Zimmermann), a new thrips species infesting bamboo orchids Arundina graminifolia (D. Don) Hochr. and commercially grown orchids in Hawaii. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 44:1-9.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Hara, A.H. 2012. Entomology in Hawaii and Assistance to Japan. American Entomologist 58:146-148.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Young, C. and Hara, A. 2012. The good guys. In C. Dacus and C.M. Dacus (eds.). Hawaii Landscape Dec 2011/Jan 2011, Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Cabral, S.K., Hara, A.H. and Aoki, K.L. 2012. Efficacy of hydramethylnon, indoxacarb, and methoprene baits against the little fire ant Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) (HYMENOPTERA: Formicidae). Page 80-84 In Proc. 2012 Imported Fire Ant Conference, Nashville, TN, Apr 16-18, 2012. Compiled by J. B. Oliver, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Hara, A.H., Cabral, S.K. and K.L. Aoki. 2013. Foliar and drench applications of insecticides against root mealybugs in containerized rhapis palms, 2010. Arthropod Manage. Tests 38:G21.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Hara, A.H., Cabral, S.K. and K.L. Aoki. 2013. Efficacy of s-methoprene ant baits to control the little fire ant, 2011. Arthropod Manage. Tests 38:(L1).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Hara, A H., Cabral, S.K. and Aoki, K.L. 2013. Attractancy of Bait Insecticides to the Little Fire Ant, Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), pp 26-35, In Conf. Proc. 2013 Imported Fire Ant Conf., Virginia Beach, Virginia.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Hara, A., R. Niino-DuPonte, and S. Cabral. 2014. Best management practices to prevent and control the little fire ant.. Landscape Hawaii May/June: 20-22. Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Dr Arnold H. Hara, University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Honolulu, HI http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/haraa/index.asp
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Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Export plant nursery managers and workers, landscapers, Hawaii Department of Agriculture personnel, USDA APHIS personnel, Conferences and meetings were organized by Crop Production Services, Hawaii Island Landscape Association, Hawaii Export Nursery Association, d for their respective clientele and were all also open to the public. Approximately 750 Hawaii growers and landscapers, government agency representatives, and research and extension faculty were reached by presentations and site visits. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Research results were presented at nine meetings or conferences in the state and were attended by personnel from government agencies and UH research and extension faculty and staff. Topics included “Newer Insecticides and Biologicals against Invasive Pests”, “Newer, Safer Insecticides for Use in the Landscape”, “Common Pests: “Green” Solutions”, and “Landscape Insect Pests”. “Sending Pest-Free Products to California” provided training for shippers of plant material from Hawaii who hold Compliance Agreements with USDA. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Research results were presented at nine meetings or conferences in the state for ornamental plant growers, landscapers, government agencies, and research and extension faculty four islands. These presentations are available for viewing and downloading at the PI’s website http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/haraa/index.asp What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Publications and other extension materials are being prepared for for best control strategies (cultural, physical, mechanical, chemical, biological) for quarantine pests at critical entry points during production from field to market based on current research.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Evaluations completed after the presentations on Maui, O'ahu, Hawai'i and Kaua'i indicated 75 – 100% of respondents were made aware of a practice they can implement immediately to reduce their risk of exporting plant material harboring quarantine pests and rejections at the destination ports. These practices include: pest identification (including damage symptoms), use of pheromone lures for monitoring pest populations, new strategies for ant, thrips, scale, mealybug control, sprayer calibration, and hot water disinfestation.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Cabos, R.Y.M., Tsang, M.M.C. , Hara, A.H., and Kawabata, A. 2012. Eradication of Rotylenchulus reniformis from a volcanic cinder medium using steam sterilization. Nematropica 42:245-252.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Cabos, R.Y.M., Hara, A.H., and Tsang, M.M.C. 2012. Hot water drench treatment for control of reniform nematodes in potted dracaena. Nematropica 42:72-79.
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research results were presented at six meetings or conferences in the state for ornamental plant growers, landscapers, government agencies, and research and extension faculty: Crop Production Services Nursery Seminar, October 2011, Hilo, HI ("Systemic Insecticides, Insect Growth Regulators and Biological Controls against Ornamental Pests in Hawaii"), Landscape Management Conference, Hawaii Island Landscape Association, November 2011, Kohala Coast, HI ("Insect Identification and Control: The Good and the Bad"); Crop Production Services 12th Annual Seminar and Tradeshow, May 2012, Honolulu, HI ("New and Emerging Pest in the Landscape and Nurseries" and "The Efficacy of Newer Insecticides against Invasive Species in Hawaii"); 17th MIDPAC Horticultural Conference, July 2012, Hilo, HI ("Quarantine Issues for Hawaii & California and the Systems Approach"); and Farm Bill Cooperating Nurseries Update, August 2012, Hilo, HI ("Systems Approach to Pest Management Practices for Potted Foliage"). These presentations are available for viewing and downloading at the PI's website http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/haraa/index.asp In addition, heat quarantine treatment results were presented at two international conferences for research and extension faculty, import and export producers, and government agencies: Symposium on Urban, Stored Products and Post Harvest Entomology, XXIV International Congress of Entomology, in August 2012 in Daegu, Korea ("Heat as a postharvest disinfestation for floricultural crops") and the International Conference on Postharvest Pest and Disease Management in Exporting Horticultural Crops in February 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand ("Heat as a sustainable postharvest disinfestation treatment for export horticultural crops" - Keynote speaker). PARTICIPANTS: The Principal Investigator, Dr Arnold H Hara, met and communicated with export potted foliage growers and landscapers (10 managers, 100 workers) and government agency personnel (Hawaii Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch in Hilo and Honolulu - K. Horiuchi, C. Nagata, C. Okada; USDA-APHIS, Honolulu and Hilo - Y. Ishibashi, R. Cabos) to determine areas of concern with regard to pest management for quarantine purposes and detection of invasive arthropod species. He led and coordinated research efforts to address these areas of concern by research and extension staff (UH CTAHR - R. Niino-DuPonte, S. Cabral, K. Aoki, J. Zarders, J. Katada, A. Kawabata, C. Nelson, B. Bushe; UH Hilo CFNARM - M Tsang) in identifying pests and conducting trials for chemical and non-chemical efficacy and phytotoxicity at Waiakea Research Station and at cooperating nursery sites. Dr Hara prepared and delivered oral presentations at 8 meetings and conferences this year. TARGET AUDIENCES: Export plant nursery managers and workers, landscapers, Hawaii Department of Agriculture personnel, USDA APHIS personnel, Conferences and meetings were organized by Crop Production Services, Hawaii Island Landscape Association, Hawaii Export Nursery Association, Council for International Conferences of Entomology, and Entomology and Zoology Association of Thailand for their respective clientele and were all also open to the public. Approximately 750 Hawaii growers and landscapers, government agency representatives, and research and extension faculty were reached by presentations and site visits. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
As a result of exchange of information on IPM strategies and a systems approach to pest management through in-state presentations, 10 potted foliage plant nurseries in Hawaii County signed on as cooperators to implement pest control measures to produce pest-free plants for export. Strategies include surveying for and mapping pest populations, use of low-risk pesticides and application techniques, crop sanitation, conservation of beneficial predators and parasitoids, and use of physical barriers, and post-harvest strategies include low-risk pesticides, irradiation, cold, heat, and/or controlled atmosphere treatments. Pre- and post-training interviews indicate: 1) increased willingness to reduce the use of broad-spectrum insecticides and calendar spraying and to rotate among chemical classes to prevent development of insect pesticide resistance, 2) increased ability to identify pests and their damage and to differentiate between beneficial and harmful arthropods, and 3) heightened awareness that managing pests throughout all phases of production in a systems approach rather than relying on a quarantine treatment just prior to export will likely result in cleaner plants and lower pest interceptions and shipment rejections. International interest in the feasibility of heat treatments for floriculture and other plant products have increased the likelihood of Korea and Thailand implementing such quarantine treatments, which will reduce the number of alien pest species originating from those countries from entering the United States.
Publications
- Cabral, S., Hara, A.H., and Niino-DuPonte, R. 2011. Knock-down and residual efficacy of contact insecticides against the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Pages 43-46 in Proc. 2011 Imported Fire Ant Conference, Galveston, TX.
- Hara, A. H. 2012. Heat as a postharvest disinfestation for floricultural crops. XXIV International Congress of Entomology, Abstract CD S1202TU20, Daegu, Korea.
- Hara, A. H. 2012. Heat as a sustainable postharvest disinfestation treatment for export horticultural crops. Abstracts International Conference on Postharvest Pest and Disease Management in Exporting Horticultural Crops, Bangkok, Thailand (P5).
- Hara, A. H. 2012. Integration of pre-shipment hot water shower as a quarantine treatment for ornamental plants. 7th International Integrated Pest Management Symposium, Memphis, TN (P91, PO33).
- Hara, A. H. 2011. Systems Approach to Quarantine Treatments for Export Ornamentals. The 2011 American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Annual Conference and Abstract, Waikoloa, HI (Paper 5289). http://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2011/webprogram/Paper5289.html
- Hara, A. H., Cabral, S.K., Niino-DuPonte, R.Y., Jacobsen, C.M., and Onuma, K. 2011. Bait insecticides and hot water drenches against the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) infesting containerized nursery plants. Florida Entomol. 94:517-526.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The anthurium whitefly, Aleurotulus anthuricola, the anthurium thrips, Chaetanaphothrips orchidii, and the banana rust thrips, Chaetanaphothrips signipennis are major pests of anthuriums that require chemical controls. A study was conducted at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Waiakea Agricultural Research Station near Hilo, HI to compare the efficacy of imidacloprid tablets Core Tect Tree and Shrub Insecticide Tablet, imidacloprid 20 percent, N (12), P (9), K (4) to organophosphate foliar insecticides (Dimethoate 400, 10 ml per gal; Malathion 5EC 20 ml per gal) applied alternately at two week intervals for whiteflies on potted anthurium plants for 10 weeks. Three tablets of imidacloprid were placed two inches below the media surface of each plant for the imidacloprid tablet treatment. There were no differences in levels of whitefly infestation between the organophosphate-treated plants and imidacloprid tablet treated plants from pretreatment through the 11 weeks after treatment (WAT). When the foliar spraying was stopped at 10 WAT, whitefly populations began increasing in the organophosphate treated plants. By 14 WAT, there was a marked decrease in whitefly infestation among the imidacloprid tablet treated plants as compared with organophosphate treated plants and efficacy of the imidacloprid tablets persisted until 29 WAT. In this study, imidacloprid tablets did not cause any phytotoxicity on potted anthurium plants and is a promising treatment for whiteflies on anthuriums. Another study was conducted on flowering anthurium plants to evaluate the efficacy of Merit FXT tablet (imidacloprid 20 percent) and BYI 08330 240 SC (spirotetramat 22.43 percent) against anthurium thrips, banana rust thrips, and anthurium whitefly. At 4 WAT plants treated with either BYI 08330 240 SC (spirotetramat) or Merit FXT (imidacloprid) began to show less damage, peaking at about 8 WAT. Although there was a trend toward greater response (i.e., less thrips damage) to Merit FXT tablets than either the foliar or drench spirotetramat treatments, there was no difference. At 16 WAT, thrips damage on all treated and untreated control plants were comparable. Whitefly infestations were reduced from 3 to 17 WAT as compared to untreated controls. At 17 wk after the initial treatment, whitefly populations began to increase slightly. Of the three treatments, the spirotetramat drench provided more whitefly control than the foliar spray or the Merit FXT tablets. None of the plants showed any signs of phytotoxicity for the duration of the observation period. This new knowledge was disseminated to anthurium and nursery growers and the general public by participating in conferences of the nursery and landscape industries and in published research articles. PARTICIPANTS: Two research support staff conducted the research by designing the studies, cultivating and infesting the plants, arranging the plants for testing, applying insecticides and collecting data. Bayer Cropscience, Loveland Products Inc. and Micro Flo Co. provided products for testing. TARGET AUDIENCES: Anthurium industry, homeowners, farmers, nursery growers, landscape managers, pest control operators, agrochemical representatives, county, state and federal agencies providing information via workshops, conferences, industry meetings, and publications on reduced-risk pesticides in Hawaii. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
This was the first study to demonstrate that imidacloprid tablet with fertilizer (Core Tect) and spirotetramat, a new class of systemic insecticide, were highly effective against the anthurium whitefly. The use of the imidacloprid tablet and spirotetramat drench in media against the anthurium whitefly will significantly reduce the use of broad spectrum foliar organophosphate insecticides that is highly toxic to humans, non-target organisms and natural enemies.
Publications
- Hara, A.H., Cabral, S.K., and Aoki, K.L. 2011. Efficacy of spirotetramat against aphids and mealybugs on red ginger, 2009. Arthropod Manage. Tests 36:G19.
- Hara, A.H. and Cabral, S.K. 2011. Knock-down and residucal efficacy of Phantom and Termidor SC against little fire ant, 2009. Arthropod Manage. Tests 36:J1.
- Hara, A.H., Cabral, S.K., Niino-DuPonte, R.Y., Jacobsen, C.M., and K. Onuma, K. 2010. Bait insecticides and hot water drenches against the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) Hymenoptera: Formicidae infesting containerized nursery plants, pp 135 to 140, Proc. 2010 Imported Fire Ant and Invasive Ant Conf. Little Rock, AR.
- Marr, S.R., Johnson, S.A., Hara, A.H., and McGarrity, M.E. 2010. Preliminary evaluation of the potential of the helminth parasite Rhabdias elegans as a biological control agent for invasive Puerto Rican coquis (Eleutherodactylus coqui) in Hawaii. Biological Control 54:69-74.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The little fire ant (LFA) Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) was first detected in Hawaii in 1999 in the Puna district on the Big Island. Hawaii Department of Agriculture attempted to contain the initial infestation; however, the ant had already been inadvertently dispersed by movement of infested potted plants from nurseries. LFA is now widespread between lower Puna and Laupahoehoe, and has been confirmed in the Kona district on the Big Island, as well as single infestations on Kauai and Maui, posing a stinging threat to residents, visitors, and animals (pets, livestock, native birds and mammals), and quarantine concerns for nurseries exporting plant material. Two trials were conducted to evaluate bait insecticides other than Amdro to control LFA on plant nurseries: 1) broadcasts of hydramethylnon, s-methoprene, and metaflumizone baits, and metaflumizone spray were compared for the control of LFA in potted plants, and 2) the effect of weather-exposure on the efficacy of metaflumizone bait on LFA. In a third trial, LFA susceptibility to hot water immersion was determined, and efficacy of hot water drenching was evaluated as a disinfestation treatment for potted plants prior to transport. Two applications of Extinguish Plus bait (0.365% hydramethylnon and 0.25% S-methoprene) or BAS 320 I 240 SC (24% metaflumizone) as a spray one month apart reduced W. auropunctata foraging worker numbers by >97% as compared to untreated controls. At the conclusion of the study (7 wk after the first application), only Extinguish Plus and BAS 320 I 240 SC resulted in less (P< 0.05) live worker ants and infested plants (%) than the untreated check. Nearly all of the plants treated with Siesta Nuisance Sweet Bait were infested with LFA, with mean number of ants as high as the untreated check. While more than 90% of plants treated with Amdro Pro or Siesta Fire Ant Bait were infested with LFA, the average number of ants in the treated plants were reduced by >50% as compared to the untreated check. Also, there was an absence of live queens and brood among plants deemed "non-infested" among all treatmentsThe persistency of weather-exposed metaflumizone bait was also evaluated. Siesta Fire Ant bait (0.63% metaflumizone) applied fresh or after 7 days of weather exposure resulted in >98% LFA mortality; bait exposed to weather for 14 d before application still achieved >90% mortality. In vitro submersion of LFA in 45 C water for 10 min resulted in >99% mortality as compared to 28.9% mortality from submersion in ambient temperature water (26 C) for 12 min. When LFA-infested potted plants were drenched with hot water (45.6 C) for 11 min, LFA numbers were reduced by 99.3 and 89.3% in rhapis and fishtail palm, respectively, as compared to control plants drenched with ambient temperature water. A combination of insecticidal baits and sprays along with hot water treatment can be an effective quarantine protocol against little fire ants in containerized nursery plants for export. This new knowledge was disseminated to nursery growers and the general public by participating in conferences of the nursery and landscape industries and in a published college bulletin. PARTICIPANTS: Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Plant Pest Control Branch personnel participated and assisted this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Homeowners, farmers, nursery growers, landscape managers, pest control operators and county, state and federal agencies have a more effective bait insecticide for use agains the little fire ant. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This is a first study to demonstrate that Extinguish Plus bait was significantly more effective than Amdro Pro against the little fire ant (LFA). Homeowners, farmers, nursery growers, landscape managers, pest control operators, and county, state and federal agencies interested in eradication and containment efforts of LFA have more a more effective bait insecticide available for immediate legal use.
Publications
- Hara, A. H. & R. Niino-DuPonte. 2010a. Tips for outwitting the wily coqui frog. Hawaii Tribune Herald, Jan 10, 2010.
- Hara, A. H. & R. Niino-DuPonte. 2010b. UH coqui frog research details control methods, pp. 1, 8 In Hawaii Landscape Jan/Feb 2010, Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii.
- Tsang, M.M.C., Hara, A. H. and Shintaku, M.H. 2010. Thermal tolerance of propagative anthurium stem cuttings to disinfestation by heat treatment for burrowing nematodes and bacterial blight. Crop Protection 29:525-531.
- Hara, A., Jacobsen, C., Marr S. and Niino-DuPonte R. 2010. Hot water as a potential disinfestation treatment for an invasive anuran, the coqui frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui Thomas (Anura: Leptodactylidae), on potted plants. Inter. J. Pest Manage. 56:255-263.
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