IMPROVED TIMING OF CONTROL FOR THE GRAPE BERRY MOTH, PARALOBESIA VITEANA, USING A DEGREE-DAY MODEL

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: 3D GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0222668
• Grant No.: 2010-41530-21275
• Cumulative Award Amt.: $67,865.00
• Proposal No.: 2010-02805
• Project Start Date: Aug 1, 2010
• Project End Date: Jul 31, 2013
• Grant Year: 2010
• Program Code: [QQ.NE]- Integrated Pest Management - Northeast Region

Recipient Organization
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
208 MUELLER LABORATORY
UNIVERSITY PARK,PA 16802

Performing Department
Entomology

Non Technical Summary
The grape berry moth (GBM) Paralobesia viteana, is the key arthropod pest of grapes grown in the eastern US, requiring control in many regions to avoid significant economic injury. This injury is typically loss of berries due to GBM feeding, but additional significant losses can occur as a consequence of fruit rots brought on by the GBM damaged berries that can extend to entire clusters resulting in major crop losses. However, population size and potential for doing damage varies widely within vineyards on the same farm, from region to region and year to year. Hence, growers need reliable and effective methods for assessing risk from GBM, both in space and time, to make appropriate management decisions. One tool, originally developed in the 1970s and 1980s, is a trap baited with synthetic sex pheromone that attracts and captures male GBM. Pheromone-baited traps have been developed for a number of important moth pests and can be useful for understanding pest phenology, determining the need to apply an insecticide and timing of control measures. Unfortunately, the pheromone based lure, as currently employed, is only marginally useful for indicating the first flight of overwintered male GBM and not useful at all for indicating subsequent generations. Hence, there is a critical need for an alternative method to reliably time management decisions for GBM. Presently, the grape berry moth risk assessment protocol (GBMRAP) is the primary tool used by grape growers in the east to estimate timing of GBM management. For a high risk vineyard the protocol calls for an insecticide application at ten days post bloom (first generation GBM), early August (second generation), and if necessary, late August (third generation). As is true of other insects (and grapevines), development of GBM is temperature dependent. Although the recommended first spray is tied to bloom time, which in turn, is driven by temperature, the other timings are based solely on calendar date irrespective of temperature. In an average year the GBMRAP timings for control (using contact insecticides) may work fairly well but in cool years they may be applied early and in warm years they may be applied late. Hence, what is needed is a temperature based development or phenology model to provide growers with a more reliable method to time management actions. Such a model has been developed for GBM (Tobin et al. 2001, 2003) in which the number of degree-days (DD) for GBM to develop from eggs to egg-laying adult females is approximately 810 DD (F) (450 DD (C)) using a base developmental threshold of 47 F (8.4 C).

Animal Health Component

75%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

25%

Applied

75%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
211	1139	1130	100%

Knowledge Area
211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
1139 - Grapes, general/other;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;

Keywords

grape berry moth

paralobesia viteana

phenology model

ipm

grapes

vineyards

degree days

insecticide timing

Goals / Objectives
Presently, the grape berry moth risk assessment protocol (GBMRAP) is the primary tool used by grape growers in the east to estimate timing of GBM management. For a high risk vineyard the protocol calls for an insecticide application at ten days post bloom (first generation GBM), early August (second generation), and if necessary, late August (third generation). As is true of other insects (and grapevines), development of GBM is temperature dependent. Although the recommended first spray is tied to bloom time, which in turn, is driven by temperature, the other timings are based solely on calendar date irrespective of temperature. In an average year the GBMRAP timings for control (using contact insecticides) may work fairly well but in cool years they may be applied early and in warm years they may be applied late. Hence, what is needed is a temperature based development or phenology model to provide growers with a more reliable method to time management actions. Such a model has been developed for GBM in which the number of degree-days (DD) for GBM to develop from eggs to egg-laying adult females is approximately 810 DD (F) (450 DD (C)) using a base developmental threshold of 47F (8.4C). We seek to validate the use of a grape berry moth temperature-driven phenology model in field settings, evaluate the suitability of natural biofixes that can easily be used for initiating the counting of degree days, and develop a delivery method for widespread use and adoption of this GBM management approach in New York and Pennsylvania. Therefore, our specific objective for the next three seasons are: Objectives: 1. Research: Compare effectiveness of GBM control with insecticide when timing is based on grape berry moth risk assessment protocol verses a degree-day phenology model. 2. Research and Extension: Investigate use of alternative methods to determine first flight of female moths as a biofix for degree-day phenology model. 3. Extension: Incorporate the phenology model into a Cooperative Extension NEWA system for use by growers

Project Methods
Objective 1. A series of replicated small plots in the Finger Lakes region of New York, and in the Lake Erie grape belt in both New York and Pennsylvania will be used. In each location, one treatment, (Late Phenology) will consist of timings based on the GBM phenology model with the first treatment being applied at the predicted second flight. The second treatment (Early Phenology) will also use the GBM phenology model, but will include a treatment timed for the first flight of GBM. The third treatment (GBMRAP) will consist of timings recommended by the current risk assessment protocols. The fourth treatment will be an unsprayed control. For the Early Phenology treatment, the timing of the first flight of GBM will be applied at 189C degree days from January 1. For both Phenology treatments, control of the second flight of GBM will be applied 450 C degree days after 50% emergence of the first flight. Approximately 400cDD after the 50% emergence of the second flight, an application of insecticide will be administered for the third flight. If GBM pressure is high, this process will be repeated for the fourth flight of GBM. In the second year, at least two vineyards with high GBM pressure in each area will be treated using either the Phenology or GBMRAP treatments Objective 2. We will determine the best indicator of first flight of females that could be used as a substitute biofix. The indicators are peak male capture in pheromone traps, bloom date of river bank grape V. riparia, and bloom date of common cultivated grapes. Objective 2a: We propose to monitor female captures using light traps, male capture using standard pheromone traps, bloom date (50% bloom) of V. riparia and bloom date of concord, Cayuga white and chardonnay. We will determine date of peak capture of females at each site and correlate with biofix indicators. Objective 2b. We will evaluate 50% bloom date for multiple accessions of V. riparia, concord, cayuga white, and chardonnay. These estimates of bloom date for the different grape varieties will be compared to trap catch data of GBM. Objective 3. Two vineyard pairs per region will receive the treatments. One vineyard will have insecticide applications timed using the new degree-day model and the other using the grower standard of the Grape Berry Moth Risk Assessment (GBM RA). The degree-day model placed on the NEWA website will be used to time insecticide applications using the closest available NEWA weather station. Assessments will be weekly starting at bloom. In Year 3 Five paired blocks in participating grower vineyards in each region will be used to compare the degree-day model with the GBM RAP. Growers will use the most effective biofix in combination with the model using NEWA Temperature data obtained from the nearest weather station. In years 2 and 3 growers will be instructed on the use of the Degree-Day model and use of the NEWA website. In year 3 a survey using Turning Technologies audience polling software will be conducted during small group meetings to determine the willingness to change spray practices to incorporate growing-degree model information in their grape berry moth management strategy.

Progress 08/01/10 to 07/31/13

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience for this project includes grape growers, grape juice processors, and wineries in the Great Lakes region, as well as Cooperative Extension personnel in PA and NY. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Via formal presentations at the Viticulture 2013 Conference in Rochester, NY, the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Hershey PA, multiple summer and winter cooperative extension meetings, Coffeepot meetings, and various forms of print and electronic outreach outlets. In total over the course of this project there were more than 3500 contacts made in which the use of the GDD phenology model in the timing of GBM treatments was discussed. The GBM phenology model is operationalized on the NEWA website (http://newa.cornell.edu/) and available for grower access and use throughout the year. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? There have been ca. 15 field processor meetings, 30 coffeepot meetings, and 20 grower oriented meetings at which the grape berry moth (GBM) phenology model and its use in timing sprays for GBM control were held. Over the course of this project, upwards of 2000 individuals were exposed to this approach for GBM pest management. Growers were shown how to access the NEWA system of weather stations where they were able to track GBM growing degree days for their specific vineyard. For a biofix, growers are asked to enter the date of bloom for local vines of the wild grape, Vitis riparia. If the grower wishes, the NEWA software will provide an approximate date for V. riparia bloom that the grower can use as a biofix. In addition, at each NEWA weather station location in the Lake Erie and Finger Lakes grape growing regions a V. riparia planting has been established. These sentinel plants will assist growers in the determination of the bloom date for V. riparia. Revised sets of verbal guidelines were developed for the NEWA system. For each generation of GBM, a unique and appropriate summary of GBM population development was entered into the NEWA software. The most significant change to these guidelines is designed to help growers identify that, in a warmer than normal crop growing season, if the growing degree days for the onset of the third flight of GBM is achieved before August 10 there will be a need for heightened crop protection vigilance necessary from that point until harvest. A weekly ELECTRONIC CROP UPDATE was distributed to 276 grape growers throughout each season for a contact total of 3,588/season. From June to September these Crop Updates included information on GBM development and infestation levels at various high and severe risk sites. Farmers were urged to scout their vineyards and instructed on the use of the GBM Degree Day Model on NEWA to monitor degree day accumulations using weather stations located closest to their vineyard blocks. Large block trials were established and the phenology model based spray timings were compared to traditional spray timings. These comparisons were conveyed to growers at summer meetings in July and August, 2012 and 2013.

Publications

• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Saunders, M.C., R. Isaacs, and G. Loeb. 2013. Focus on females provides new insights for grape berry moth management. Appellation Cornell 2013-02. 8 pages

Progress 08/01/11 to 07/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2012, there were 6 field processor meetings, 11 coffeepot meetings, and 8 grower oriented meetings at which the grape berry moth (GBM) phenology model and its use in timing sprays for GBM control were held. A total of 805 individuals were exposed to this approach for GBM pest management. Growers were shown how to access the NEWA system of weather stations where they were able to track GBM growing degree days for their specific vineyard. For a biofix, growers are asked to enter the date of bloom for local vines of the wild grape, Vitis riparia. If the grower wishes, the NEWA software will provide an approximate date for V. riparia bloom that the grower can use as a biofix. Revised sets of verbal guidelines were developed for the NEWA system. For each generation of GBM, a unique and appropriate summary of GBM population development was entered into the NEWA software. The most significant change to these guidelines is designed to help growers identify that, in a warmer than normal crop growing season, if the growing degree days for the onset of the third flight of GBM is achieved before August 10 there will be a need for heightened crop protection vigilance necessary from that point until harvest. A weekly (13) ELECTRONIC CROP UPDATE was distributed to 276 grape growers throughout the season for a contact total of 3,588. From June to September these Crop Updates included information on GBM development and infestation levels at various high and severe risk sites. Farmers were urged to scout their vineyards and instructed on the use of the GBM Degree Day Model on NEWA to monitor degree day accumulations using weather stations located closest to their vineyard blocks. Large block trials were established and the phenology model based spray timings were compared to traditional spray timings. These comparisons were conveyed to growers at three meetings in July and August, 2012. PARTICIPANTS: On the NE-IPM project Lead PI, Michael Saunders, PSU, and Greg Loeb, Cornell. Evaluation of diseases and other rots associated with the GBM treatments, Mr. Bryan Hed, PSU. Extension and outreach are led by Mr. Andrew Muza, PSU, and Mr. Timothy Weigle, Cornell. Ms. Jody Timer, PSU, participated and managed the day to day activities. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this project includes grape growers, grape juice processors, and wineries in the Great Lakes region, as well as Cooperative Extension personnel in PA and NY. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
This study is focused on refining and advancing our understanding of GBM phenology and the direct implementation of these findings into a regional IPM strategy for management of this important pest. Growers will be exposed to this approach with regular Coffee Pot meetings (ca. 5/season, 25 growers/session), a revised GBM-IPM extension brochure (ca 200 growers in PA/NY, field demonstration projects and associated grower meetings (ca. 100 growers/meeting), as well as via the regular summer and winter grower Extension conferences (ca. 100-200). We anticipate that growers educated via these venues will readily adapt to this improved approach. A temperature based phenology model will represent a major improvement over the calendar-based approach currently being employed that will lead to more cost efficient, less wasteful, and more efficacious use of insecticides for GBM control. Grape growers will transition from the remaining broad spectrum insecticides to more targeted and less environmentally damaging compounds through the adoption of this more accurate method for calculating spray timings. Reduction in the use of broad spectrum compounds will reduce grower/applicator risk, non-target impacts, and issues associated with pesticide residues and human health. Incorporation of the GBM Phenology Model into a grower accessible decision support system will enhance the ability for growers to accurately time their control efforts, and to forecast the potential for damaging third and fourth generations. This ability to forecast GBM population phenology is key to the successful management of this key pest of grapes. This project will contribute to the National Roadmap for IPM including; 1) Improve economic benefits related to the adoption of IPM practices. This project will test new approaches that aim to reduce grower reliance on broad-spectrum insecticides, 2) reduce potential human health risks from pests and the use of IPM practices. Our goal to decrease reliance on FQPA-targeted pesticides will reduce risk of worker exposure and residues in food, and 3) minimize adverse environmental risks from pests and the use of IPM practices. Increased adoption of reduced-risk management tactics, through the research, demonstration, and training objectives in this project will help reduce the use of pest management tools with potentially adverse environmental effects.

Publications

• Muza, A. 2012. Management of Grape Berry Moth Using the New Degree Day Model. Proceedings of the 2012 Lake Erie Regional Grape Growers Summer Conference. North East, PA. July 25, 2012. pages 7-8.

Progress 08/01/10 to 07/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: A total of four new weather stations were purchased and installed along the Lake Erie grape growing region. These stations, 2 each in PA and NY, were added to the Network for Environment and Weather Applications network (NEWA) and made available for growers to access the GBM phenology model for assistance in timing grape berry moth (GBM) sprays. In 2011 two Lake Erie Regional Grape Program (LERGP) Conferences (March 17 and August 24) and two Twilight meetings (July 27 and August 24) were conducted at which implementation and use of the Grape Berry Moth (GBM) Degree Day Model was addressed. A total of 433 grape growers from Pennsylvania and New York learned about the GBM Degree Day Model at these meetings. In addition, the LERGP Extension Team conducted weekly Coffee Pot meetings at grower vineyards from April to August at different locations throughout the Lake Erie grape belt. A total of 18 Coffee Pot meetings were held from Erie County, Pennsylvania through Niagara County, New York and were attended by 331 farmers and industry representatives. At these Coffee Pot meetings farmers were introduced to the new Grape Berry Moth (GBM) Degree Day Model and discussions on how to use this model were conducted. Growers were advised to track GBM degree days for their specific vineyard sites by using the GBM model on the Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA) website. A weekly ELECTRONIC CROP UPDATE was distributed to 174 grape growers throughout the season. From June to September these Crop Updates included information on GBM development and infestation levels at various high and severe risk sites. Farmers were urged to scout their vineyards and instructed on the use of the GBM Degree Day Model on NEWA to monitor degree day accumulations using weather stations located closest to their vineyard blocks. PARTICIPANTS: Michael C. Saunders and Greg Loeb are lead investigators for the research portions of this project. Saunders and Loeb will design and implement the small and large block trials for comparison of phenology based timings with GBMRAP based timings. Saunders and Loeb will also conduct studies of biofixes for initiating the accumulation of GBM degree days. These individuals will also serve as speakers at Extension talks, twilight meetings, coffeepot meetings, and will assist in the implementation of the GBM phenology model into the NEWA system. Andrew Muza and Tim Weigle are lead Extension specialists responsible for grower meetings, Extension literature preparation, establishment of NEWA system and the incorporation of GBM model into NEWA system. Bryan Hed is a research plant pathologist who will assist in the evaluation of bunch rot incidence in the various field treatments for GBM control. TARGET AUDIENCES: This study is focused on refining and advancing our understanding of GBM phenology and the direct implementation of these findings into a regional IPM strategy for management of this important pest. Growers of juice and wine grapes along the PA/NY Lake Erie grape production belt and the Finger Lakes of New York will be exposed to this approach with regular Coffee Pot meetings (ca. 5/season, 25 growers/session), a revised GBM-IPM extension brochure (ca 200 growers in PA/NY, field demonstration projects and associated grower meetings (ca. 100 growers/meeting), as well as via the regular summer and winter grower Extension conferences (ca. 100-200). We anticipate that growers educated via these venues will readily adapt to this improved approach to the management of this important pest. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
This study is focused on refining and advancing our understanding of GBM phenology and the direct implementation of these findings into a regional IPM strategy for management of this important pest. Growers will be exposed to this approach with regular Coffee Pot meetings (ca. 5/season, 25 growers/session), a revised GBM-IPM extension brochure (ca 200 growers in PA/NY, field demonstration projects and associated grower meetings (ca. 100 growers/meeting), as well as via the regular summer and winter grower Extension conferences (ca. 100-200). We anticipate that growers educated via these venues will readily adapt to this improved approach.A temperature based phenology model will represent a major improvement over the calendar-based approach currently being employed that will lead to more cost efficient, less wasteful, and more efficacious use of insecticides for GBM control. Grape growers will transition from the remaining broad spectrum insecticides to more targeted and less environmentally damaging compounds through the adoption of this more accurate method for calculating spray timings. Reduction in the use of broad spectrum compounds will reduce grower/applicator risk, non-target impacts, and issues associated with pesticide residues and human health. Incorporation of the GBM Phenology Model into a grower accessible decision support system will enhance the ability for growers to accurately time their control efforts, and to forecast the potential for damaging third and fourth generations. This ability to forecast GBM population phenology is key to the successful management of this key pest of grapes. This project will contribute to the National Roadmap for IPM including; 1) Improve economic benefits related to the adoption of IPM practices. This project will test new approaches that aim to reduce grower reliance on broad-spectrum insecticides, 2) reduce potential human health risks from pests and the use of IPM practices. Our goal to decrease reliance on FQPA-targeted pesticides will reduce risk of worker exposure and residues in food, and 3) minimize adverse environmental risks from pests and the use of IPM practices. Increased adoption of reduced-risk management tactics, through the research, demonstration, and training objectives in this project will help reduce the use of pest management tools with potentially adverse environmental effects.

Publications

• No publications reported this period