Source: UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS submitted to NRP
DEVELOPING A MULTI LIFE-STAGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR APPLE MAGGOT, A PERSISTENT TREE FRUIT PEST IN THE NORTHEAST, THROUGH THE INTEGRATION OF ATTRACT-AND-KILL AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL.
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1017441
Grant No.
2018-70006-28890
Cumulative Award Amt.
$324,854.00
Proposal No.
2018-04452
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2018
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2022
Grant Year
2018
Program Code
[ARDP]- Applied Research and Development Program
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS
(N/A)
AMHERST,MA 01003
Performing Department
Stockbridge School
Non Technical Summary
The apple maggot fly (AMF is a key pest of apples in eastern North America. To achieve commercially acceptable levels of control, growers typically apply up to three broad-spectrum insecticide sprays to the entire orchard, beginning in early July and ending in late August. Growers have expressed the need for viable approaches to reducing or eliminating need of pesticide application as the principal means of control against this pest. This project has been designed to develop, through three research objectives, and promote, via extension programming, an IPM strategy that combines an attract-and-kill system (targeting the adult stage) and biological control using beneficial nematodes (targeting larvae in the soil).This project will conduct research on (1) the ability of beneficial nematodes to kill adults and larvae under laboratory, semi-field and field conditions, (2) the toxicity of a food-grade, non-nutritive sugar alcohol, to adult AMF, and (3) field-scale evaluations of the newly developed IPM strategy for reduced or insecticide-free management of this pest. Research outcomes are expected to lead to reductions in amount or frequency of insecticides applied against AMF. This project also supports participatory research by incorporating on-farm trials and hands-on demonstrations and connects research and Extension programs from six states (CT, GA, MA, NH, RI, and WV). Analyses will be conducted to determine the economic viability of the system.The multi-faceted extension component for this project has been designed to reach out to stakeholders through field days, twilight meetings, presentations at local, regional, and national growers and professional conferences, farm walks at grower cooperator land, and through printed media and web-based outlets. Our Extension efforts seek to document short- and mid-term outcomes and impacts.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
100%
Developmental
0%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2111110113030%
2161110107070%
Goals / Objectives
This project specifically addresses research needs voiced by stakeholders. Results from a 2017 survey of New York growers implemented by the Tree Fruit IPM Working Group indicated that apple maggot fly (AMF) was one of the three most important pests of pome fruit (http://www.northeastipm.org/neipm/assets/File/Priorities/Priorities-TreeFruitIPMWG-Summary-NY-Growers-2017.pdf). A survey of 88 commercial apple growers from Massachusetts and Rhode Island was implemented by J. C. Piñero in mid-April 2018. Survey results revealed that for 32% of the growers AMF is the most damaging pests in apple orchards, and also indicated that more IPM-oriented research is needed. Stakeholders have been actively engaged in developing the goals of this project.The main goal of this project is to develop an integrated multi-stage management program for AMF that minimizes the use of insecticides. Toward this goal, four research objectives (effort: 85%) and one Extension objective (effort: 15%) will be executed over a 3-year period.Research objectiveObjective 1: To evaluate the stage-specific susceptibility of R. pomonella to beneficial nematodes (= entomopathogenicnematodes = EPNs) species/strains under laboratory, semi-field and field conditions.We hypothesize that the virulence and efficiency of EPNs will vary among species and strains of EPN and that there will be differences in susceptibility between AMF larvae and pupae.Impact: Results will provide information for growers on the degree to which EPNs attack soil-dwelling stages of AMF and their potential as biocontrol agents.Objective 2: To optimize an attract-and-kill system for AMF involving odor-baited attracticidal spheres.This objective is being broken down into two components. The "attract" component is incorporated into objective 2.1 whereas the "kill" component is included in objective 2.2.2.1 To compare the degree to which butyl hexanoate and the 5-compound ester blend results in aggregation of AMF injury to baited trees, relative to unbaited trees.We hypothesize that trees baited with the 5-compound blend of apple esters (Zhang et al., 1999) will result in significantly greater levels of fruit injury compared to butyl hexanoate-baited trees and unbaited trees.2.2 To assess the toxicity and sub-lethal effects of erythritol, a non-nutritive sugar alcohol, to adult AMF.We hypothesize that erythritol will cause significant mortality of adult AMF and that, before dying AMF, will lay significantly fewer eggs than females not exposed to erythritol.Impacts: Results from these two sub-objectives will support optimization of an attract-and-kill system for AMF that incorporates the best lure and the best toxicant, and this will result in an increased likelihood of grower adoption.Objective 3: Integration of attract-and-kill and biological control for insecticide-free management of AMFWe hypothesize that a novel IPM system that integrates attract-and-kill with biological control will effectively control AMF to a level comparable to full-block insecticide sprays.Impact: The proposed research will provide scientifically-based, quantifiable evidence of the efficacy of the integrated system. Partial budget analyses will be also conducted to determine the economic viability of the IPM system. This information is needed to inform growers and gauge the potential for grower adoption.Extension objective: Objective 4: On-farm demonstrations and dissemination of research findings among growers and extension personnel.The multi-faceted extension component of this project has been designed to reach out to stakeholders in at least three New England states through on-farm demonstrations field days, twilight meetings, presentations at local, regional, and national growers and professional conferences, farm walks at grower cooperator land, and through printed media and web-based outlets.
Project Methods
Objective 1: To evaluate the stage-specific susceptibility of AMF to 10 EPN species/strains in laboratory, semi-field, and field tests.1.1. Screening of EPN species and strains against AMF larvae and pupae under controlled conditions. Five EPN species and 10 strains will be evaluated. This screening will provide an overview of inter and intra-specific variation in virulence. Nematodes will be obtained from the US Federal Scientific Collections registry for Entomopathogenic Nematodes (held by USDA-ARS, Shapiro-Ilan).To assess the relative susceptibility of AMF larvae versus pupae to the various EPN species/strains, the following immature stages will be exposed: (1) third-instar larvae, (2) six hours after larval exit (pre-pupa), (3) one-day old pupae, and (4) three-day-old pupae. Studies conducted by Stark and Lacey (1999) indicated that H. bacteriophora and S. riobrave resulted in 62.5% and 40% mortality of Rhagoletis indifferens pupae, at 318 IJs/pupae.Experimental approach. Nematode virulence to AMF larvae will be assessed based on procedures described by Shapiro-Ilan et al. (2002, 2011).1.2. Evaluations of EPNs under semi-field conditions.Insects. The two most effective EPN species/strains will be reproduced on commercially obtained last instar Galleria mellonella according to procedures described in Shapiro-Ilan et al. (2016b). Following harvest, nematodes will be stored at 13 °C for less than 2 weeks before experimentation. The nematodes will be shipped overnight from Byron, GA to the field locations based on established procedures.Treatments and experimental approach. In general, methodologies will be similar those described by Shapiro et al. (2013), with plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar. In short, each plot will consist of a single apple tree and its understory. Each plot will receive a mini-plot cage made of polyvinyl chloride (11.4 cm diam and 17 cm in height), which will be buried to 15 cm deep. This cage will serve as a representative area of insect-infested orchard floor. One-hundred 3rd instar AMF larvae will be added, and each cage will receive one of three treatments: (1) EPN species A, (2) EPN species B, and (3) control (AMF larvae but no EPNS).1.3. Evaluations of EPNs in commercial apple orchards. Field trials in six commercial apple orchards will be conducted in MA (3 orchards) and RI (1 orchard) to quantify AMF mortality induced by the most effective EPN at two application rates and two larval densities. High and low fly larval densities with no nematode applications will serve as controls. For these experiments, the areas under the tree canopies will be increased to cover 1 m2. Areas will be delimited using wooden frames.Objective 2: To optimize an attract-and-kill system for AMF involving odor-baited attracticidal spheres.Research to be conducted focuses on two components. The "attract" component (sub-objective 2.1) will involve one field-scale experiment. The "kill" component (sub-objective 2.2) will encompass three lab/cage experiments.2.1 To compare the degree to which butyl hexanoate and the 5-compound ester blend results in aggregation of AMF injury to baited trees, relative to unbaited treesThis experiment will be conducted on project years 1 and 2 in four sections (replications) of the UMass Cold Spring Orchard. One perimeter row of at least 45 m in length will be subdivided into three sections (treatments) of 15 m or so each. One central apple tree per section will receive one of the following treatments (1) one low-density polyethylene (LDPE) vial with 2 ml of the 5-compound blend, (2) one LDPE vial loaded with 2 ml of butyl hexanoate (attractant that preceded the development of the 5-compounf blend), and (3) unbaited tree. Lures will be positioned within the tree canopies in early July. Once a week, one unbaited 8 cm red sphere coated with Tangletrap® will be deployed for 24 hours to capture adult AMF foraging within tree canopies.For both years, the above experiment will also be conducted in the presence of attracticidal spheres, using a different section of the orchard. To minimize the effects of varying AMF pressure due to plot location, on each year we will switch the assignation of plots.2.2 To assess the toxicity and sub-lethal effects of erythritol, a non-nutritive sugar alcohol, to adult AMF.Three experiments will be conducted to accomplish this sub-objective:2.2.1. Toxicity of erythritol at various concentrations to male and female AMF in the laboratoryInsects. Adult male and female AMF from a non-diapausing colony kept in the laboratory of T. Leskey will be used for all subsequent trials. Adult flies will be allowed to emerge inside cubical screen cages (30 cm3) with a 3:1 mixture of sucrose and USB enzymatic yeast hydrolysate as a food source and water ad libitum.Treatments. Male and female AMF will be exposed to four concentrations of erythritol: 1%, 5%, 10%, and 20%. The same concentrations of sucrose will be used as positive controls, and distilled water will serve as negative control. The two concentrations of erythritol that will elicit the greatest mortality of AMF will be evaluated again in the presence and in the absence of sucrose.2.2.2. Concentrations of erythritol in attracticidal spheres.Treatments. For this experiment, four concentrations of erythritol (1%, 5%, 10%and 20%) formulated in the cap will be evaluated in the absence and in the presence of sugar. Mortality induced by each concentration of erythritol will be compared to that induced by spinosad formulated using the same concentrations, in the presence of sugar.Data collection. In general, we will follow the methodologies described by Rice et al. (2017).2.2.3. Mortality induced by erythritol and potential injury by AMF to apple fruits in cages.This experiment aims at quantifying AMF mortality induced by the most effective concentration of erythritol incorporated into attracticidal spheres, and whether AMF females are able to lay eggs on sentinel apples after feeding on erythritol. After feeding on spheres containing erythritol for 4-5 minutes, groups of 10 female AMF will be released inside 60 x 60 x 60 cages containing a potted non-host plant (TBD). Flies will be placed inside a release box on a platform located at mid-height. Four apples will be hung using wire at the four cardinal points of the cage. A 20% sucrose/water solution will be placed on the platform so that flies have access to food. Control cages will include AMF that will be fed for 4-5 minutes on a 20% sucrose solution prior to their release inside cages.Objective 3: Integration of attract-and-kill and biological control for insecticide-free management of AMF On years 2 and 3, field scale-studies involving use of the attract-and-kill + EPN method versus grower control involving insecticide sprays will be conducted in Massachusetts commercial orchards. Only two treatments are being considered given the complexity of the design and the size of the orchard blocks that otherwise would be needed to conduct a full comparison of treatments (i.e., attract-and kill and EPNs evaluated alone).Studies will be conducted in 6 blocks of apple trees in four commercial orchards in Massachusetts. Each block will be about 90 m long and 35-40 m deep, and will consist of at least seven rows of apple trees. Each block will be divided into two equal-sized plots. One plot will receive grower-applied sprays of organophosphate insecticide in July and August to control AMF, whereas the second plot will receive no insecticide after June but received odor-baited attracticidal spheres to control adult apple maggot and EPNs will be applied to the soil underneath the canopies of odor-baited trees. The density of attracticidal spheres to be used will be based on guidelines provided by Prokopy et al. (2005). One monitoring trap represented by an unbaited sticky red sphere will be placed at the center of each plot.

Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Researchers in fruit, biolocial and insect scienes and in related fields 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?The University of Massachusetts Stockbridge School of Agriculture and UMass Extension faculties and staff are committed to providing research-based information, including findings from our own research, to commercial growers and to Extension specialists. In addition to accomplishing research objectives, this integrated project successfully implemented educational programs that targeted commercial growers. Over a 4-year period, we estimate that over 600 growers were reached via webinars, Extension publications, newsletter articles, field days, workshops and grower conferences conducted at the local and regional levels. 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 main goal of this project is to develop an integrated multi-stage management program forapple maggot fly (AMF), Rhagoletis pomonella, that minimizes the use of insecticides. Two major research contributions of this project are (1) the development of an effective grower-friendly attract-and-kill strategy to control AMF in commercial apple orchards and (2) the identification of two species of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Steinernema riobrave (355 strain) and S. carpocapsae (ALL strain) that are effective at killing AMF pupae in the soil, and The objective of the attract-and-kill study was to assess the level of AMF control achieved in commercial orchard blocks using an attract-and-kill strategy involving use of synthetic lures deployed in perimeter-row trees in combination with insecticide sprays with 3% sugar added to the tank mix. Sugar is a phagostimulant that readily induces feeding by adult fruit flies upon contact. We expected to bring AMF adults to perimeter-row trees where they could be killed by the insecticide sprays, before they could penetrate into interior trees. Subsequent flies arriving to the baited tree canopies were expected to continue sensing sugar on the foliage and fruit, inducing flies to ingest insecticide residue. Over a 3-year period in commercial apple orchards (6 in 2019, 11 in 2020, 9 in 2021) we assessed the efficacy of a novel attract-and-kill strategy for apple maggot fly, R. pomonella, management. Whole-block infestation levels did not differ significantly between the attract-and-kill IPM approach and the grower standard. The amount of insecticide applied in attract-and-kill blocks was reduced by 75% (2019), 82% (2020), and 78% (2021) relative to the amount applied to GS blocks. The objective of the EPN study was to quantify the efficacy of seven different species of EPNs against AMF pupae under laboratory conditions. Our results indicate that S. riobrave and S. carpocapsae have substantial potential to control apple maggot pupae, and therefore, their field application under the tree canopy in warm spring prior to adult emergence might be a good option for successful IPM of AMF.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Pi�ero, J.C. Using the principles of ECOstacking to develop ecologically-based IPM approaches in apple agroecosystems in New England. International Congress of Entomology, Helsinki. Finland, July 17-22, 2022.


Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported 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?Research-based information has been disseminated amongcommercial growers in Massachusetts and neighboring states, Nationally at professional conferences, and internationally (one Zoom presentationto Turkey scientists, and one Zoom presentation to Australian scientists and students).Our outreach efforts have reached approximately 400 fruit growers and 75 scientists. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?A one-year no-cost extension was granted (until 8.31.2022). During this time period, one research objective will be finalized, and Extension efforts will continue.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The main goal of this project is to develop an integrated multi-stage management program forR. pomonellathat minimizes the use of insecticides. Most of the research objectives have been accomplished. In 2021, nine apple growers evaluated a novel IPM approach that makes use of attractive lures in combination with perimeter-row applications of insecticide mixed with sugar as phagostimulant for reduced-input management of apple maggot fly. Insecticide applications against this pest were reduced by at least 70% in those orchards. At least two orchards will continue with this IPM approach on their own.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Usman, M., Gulzar, S., Wakil, W., Wu, S., Pi�ero, J.C., Leskey, T.C., Nixon, L.J., Oliveira-Hofman, C., Toews, M.D., and Shapiro-Ilan, D. 2020. Virulence of entomopathogenic fungi to the apple maggot Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae) and interactions with entomopathogenic nematodes. Journal of Economic Entomology 113: 2627-2633.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Saadat, D. and Pi�ero, J.C. 2021. Evaluation of a Grower-friendly Attract-and-kill Strategy for Apple Maggot Control in New England Apple Orchards: Research Results for Year Two. Fruit Notes 86: 1-4.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Pi�ero, J.C., Regmi, P., and Saadat, D. 2021. Evaluating the Efficacy of Multi-cultivar Grafted Apple Trees as Perennial Trap Crops for Multiple Pests: Research Results Year One. Fruit Notes 86: 11-14.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: IN PREPARATION: Nixon, L., Leskey, T.C., Pinero, J.C. and Shapiro-Illan, D. Lethal and sublethal effects of non-nutritive sugars on two Dipteran species, Rhagoletis pomonella and Drosophila suzukii. In preparation for Pest Management Science.


Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for this project is represented by hundreds of small- and mid-scale fruit farmers located in Massachusetts and neighboring states. This project is generating research-based information that will help fruit growers, including under-represented, low-income farmers, and beginning farmers, to improve management of apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella, a key pest of apple in eastern North America. For the reporting period, it is estimated that 400 fruit growers were reached via Extension activities (mostly online due to COVID-19). Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 situation impacted some of our research and Extension activities. Less field research than anticipated was achieved due to lack of student support. In terms of Extension, no field days, workshops or other types of face-to-face activities were done. Extension was conducted via Zoom and webinars, but it took some time to get this started. However, the delays and challenges are not considered major. The project continues to be in route for successful completion within the original timeframe. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Due to COVId-19 professional development opportunities were not offered to the graduate student. The project PD could not take any professional development during 2020. Online professional development (national conferences) will be offered via online for the remainder of 2020. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The University of Massachusetts Stockbridge School of Agriculture and UMass Extension faculties and staff are committed to providing research-based information, including findings from our own research, to commercial growers and to Extension specialists. Research findings have been disseminated mostly through growers and academic conferences, Newsletter articles, grower-oriented publications. Our outreach efforts have reached approximately 400 fruit growers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We expect to the research activities for objective 3. We will continue to implement the multi-faceted extension component of this project in collaboration with collaborators M. Concklin (Univ. of Connecticut) and H. Faubert (Univ. of Rhode Island). The format of the Extension activities will likely change from face-to-face- to online, depending on the COVID-19 situation.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The main goal of this project is to develop an integrated multi-stage management program for R. pomonella that minimizes the use of insecticides. Most of the research objectives have been accomplished. From our field-scale research, we showed that growers can control apple maggot fly by adding sugar to the insecticide tank and then spraying only the perimeter of the orchard blocks, as opposed to full-block sprays. This way, insecticide use can be reduced by at least 70%. Our research with beneficial nematodes applied to the soil to control the immature stages of apple maggot fl offer high promise for potential biological pest control.Efforts will be increased to disseminate findings among growers via Extension activities. Research objective:To evaluate the stage-specific susceptibility of R. pomonella to entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) species/strains under laboratory, semi-field, and field conditions. Progress made: 100% for the laboratory studies; 70% for the field studies. Laboratory research: The efficacy of seven different species of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) were tested against pupae of R. pomonella under laboratory conditions. We conducted three bioassays: (a) short-term exposure (7 d), (b) long-term exposure (30 d), and (c) pot experiment. In the short-term exposure bioassay, all nematode strains (applied at 54 infective juvenile nematodes (IJs) cm-2) significantly reduced (range: 42.9-73.8%) insect survival relative to the control, but no differences were observed among the treatments. For the long-term exposure bioassay, using the same EPN application rate as the short exposure assay, all treatments reduced adult R. pomonella emergence compared to the control.Our results indicate that S. riobrave and S. carpocapsae have substantial potential to control R. pomonella pupae, and their field application under the tree canopy (prior to adult emergence) in the spring when temperatures are conducive might be a good option for successful IPM of apple maggot fly. A second laboratory investigation aimed at quantifying the virulence of four commercial available species of entomopathogenic fungi to pupae of Rhagoletis pomonella and to determine the potential to combine entomopathogenic fungi and entomopathogenic nematodes for biological control of this pest. In a small cup experiment, all fungi reduced adult emergence but no difference was observed among the fungal species. In the singly applied treatments, no differences were observed between species within the same entomopathogen group (fungi and nematodes). However, treatment with S. riobrave resulted in lower R. pomonella emergence than either fungal species. The present study revealed that field application of entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi under the tree canopy during summer when the environment is favorable could be an effective option to suppress the R. pomonella population. The goal of the field study was to evaluate the persistence of the EPNs S. riobrave and S. carpocapsae after being exposed to plum curculio larvae in an unsprayed section of an apple orchard at the University of Massachusetts Cold Spring Orchard. In early July 2020,we appliedbeneficial nematodes against plum curculio larvae in the soil, data were collected over a 7-week period. In mid-September, soil samples from each of the 28 experimental units were transported to the laboratory. Individual subsamples were exposed to apple maggot fly pupae to determine whether any of the EPN treatments continue to have live, virulent EPNs. Data will be collected in November, 2020. We conducted a parallel experiment using the remaining soil samples against wax moth larvae, a highly susceptible host. In a 48-hour period, we were able to determine that the soil samples that were taken from the experimental areas still had viable EPNs, as evidenced by high mortality of wax moth larvae exposed to EPN-treated soil when compared to the control. Objective 2: To optimize an attract-and-kill system for AMF involving odor-baited attracticidal spheres. Progress made: 100% During 2019 and 2020, we conducted field-scale research aimed at assessing the level of apple maggot fly (AMF) control in commercial orchard blocks (6 orchards in 2019, 11 orchards in 2020) using an attract-and-kill strategy involving use of synthetic lures deployed in perimeter-row trees in combination with insecticide sprays with 3% sugar added to the tank mix. We expected to bring AMF adults to perimeter-row trees where they could be killed by the insecticide sprays before they could penetrate into interior trees. Subsequent flies arriving at the baited tree canopies were expected to continue sensing sugar on the foliage and fruit, inducing flies to ingest insecticide residue. Results. In terms of AMF trapping,red sticky spheres deployed on perimeter-row trees in association with synthetic AMF lures in attract-and-kill blocks captured substantially more (9-60 times more) wild AMF than interior unbaited spheres in the same blocks. This result indicated that the lures were effective at pulling AMF to perimeter-row trees. Overall, AMF captures in unbaited monitoring spheres deployed in the interior trees of both blocks were very low, and there was virtually no difference in the level of AMF pressure in the interior of attract-and-kill blocks (despite the lack of insecticides sprayed inside those blocks) and the grower control blocks. The percentage of fruit that was infested with AMF larvae was statistically similar regardless of whether the fruit was sampled from attract-and-kill blocks o from grower control blocks. The amount of fruit injured was numerically greatest on perimeter row-trees and lowest on interior trees, for both types of blocks. Because the number of AMF lures deployed on perimeter-row trees was greater than the number of red sticky-coated monitoring spheres, and therefore some trees had lures but no red sticky spheres, then the results from fruit sampling are presented separately for perimeter-row trees that harbored (or not) a baited monitoring sphere. Conclusions. Combined results from both years indicate that an attract-and-kill approach involving synthetic lures deployed on perimeter-row trees in association with perimeter-row sprays of insecticides containing 3% sugar was effective in controlling AMF, as determined by trap captures and infestation data, when compared to grower control blocks. For the second sub-objective involving evaluations of erythritol as a potential toxicant for adult AMF, the experiments have finalized. Results indicate that erythritol did not elicit significant mortality in AMF adults and therefore this material is not a good candidate for potential use as a toxicant in combination with attracticidal spheres. Additional research will be conducted with the goal to identify materials with insecticidal properties that would have the potential to be incorporated in the design of the attracticidal sphere for AMF control. Objective 3: Integration of attract-and-kill and biological control for insecticide-free management of AMF Progress made: 10%. The first phase of this objective has been designed but the field research component has not been initiated yet. The proposed research will provide scientifically-based, quantifiable evidence of the efficacy of the integrated system for apple maggot fly control in a reduced-spray environment. Extension objective. Progress made: 40%. One Fact sheet and 7 grower-oriented articles published in Extension journals and Newsletters have been written and published. Two Zoom presentations were made. The estimated number of growers reached through these educational materials/activities is 400. No field days, workshops, and other in-person outreach activities could be made due to COVID-19. Consequently, our efforts focused on online outputs and activities.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Usman, M., Gulzar, S., Wakil, W., Pi�ero, J.C., Leskey, T.C., Nixon, L.J., Oliveira-Hofman, C., Wu, S. and Shapiro-Ilan, D. 2020. Potential of entomopathogenic nematodes against the pupal stage of the apple maggot Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Journal of Nematology e2020-79 | Vol. 52.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Usman, M., Gulzar, S., Wakil, W., Wu, S., Pi�ero, J.C., Leskey, T.C., Nixon, L.J., Oliveira-Hofman, C., Toews, M.D., and Shapiro-Ilan, D. Virulence of entomopathogenic fungi to the apple maggot Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae) and interactions with entomopathogenic nematodes. Journal of Economic Entomology (in press).
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Pi�ero, J.C., Wallingford, A., and Koehler, G. 2020. Evaluation of a Grower-friendly Attract-and-kill Strategy for Apple Maggot Control in New England Apple Orchards. Fruit Notes 85: 6-9.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Fact Sheet: Pi�ero, J.C., Garofalo, E., Schloemann, S. 2020. Apple IPM: Apple maggot fly (Rhagoletis pomonella). IPM Fact Sheet Series, University of Massachusetts Extension, Fact Sheet # #AI-001.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Newsletter article: Pi�ero, J.C. 2020. Weekly report of insect pest captures in monitoring traps at Cold Spring Orchard, apple maggot fly and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug updates. Healthy Fruit Vol. 28:20.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Newsletter article: Pi�ero, J.C. 2020. Weekly report of insect pest captures in monitoring traps at Cold Spring Orchard, Pest Alert! Spotted Lanterfly now in NY and NJ, apple maggot fly and codling moth updates. Healthy Fruit Vol. 28:19.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Newsletter article: Pi�ero, J.C. 2020. Weekly report of insect pest captures in monitoring traps at Cold Spring Orchard, apple maggot fly, Oriental fruit moth and codling moth updates. Healthy Fruit Vol. 28:18.
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: Newsletter article: Pi�ero, J.C. 2020. Weekly report of insect pest captures in monitoring traps at Cold Spring Orchard, apple maggot fly and Lepidopteran pest updates. Healthy Fruit Vol. 28:17.


Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for this project is represented by hundreds of small- and mid-scale fruit farmers located in Massachusetts and neighboring states. This project is generating research-based information that will help fruit growers, including under-represented, low-income farmers, and beginning farmers, to improve management of Rhagoletis pomonella, a key pest of apple in eastern North America. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One graduate student involved in this project has received one professional development opportunityat the local and regional level. Ms. Dorna Sadat participated in the81st New England, New York, Canada Fruit Pest Management Workshop held in Burlington, VT, on October 22-23, 2019. In addition, Ms. Saadat will also participate in the New England Fruit and Vegetable Conference, to be held in Manchester, NH. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The University of Massachusetts Stockbridge School of Agriculture and UMass Extension faculties and staff are committed to providing research-based information, including findings from our own research, to commercial growers and to Extension specialists. Research findings have been disseminated mostly through growers and academic conferences, Newsletter articles, grower-oriented publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We expect to finalize objectives 1 and 2, and to initiate research activities for objective 3. Plans are underway to implement the multi-faceted extension component of this project in collaboration with collaborators M. Concklin (Univ. of Connecticut) and H. Faubert (Uni. of Rhode Island). During the summers of 2020 and 2021, we will conduct on-farm demonstrations field days, twilight meetings, presentations at local, regional, and national growers and professional conferences, and farm walks at grower cooperator land.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Results from objective # 1 are expected to provide information for growers on the degree to which EPNs attack soil dwelling stages of R. pomonella and their potential as biocontrol agents. Estimated progress made: 70% for the laboratory studies. The semi-field and field investigations have not been initiated yet. The goal of the first laboratory evaluation was to screen different entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) strains and species to determine relative virulence to apple maggot pupae. In our first assay, we tested seven species of EPNs against R. pomonella pupae (see Fig. X for the list of EPN species). Newly pupated insects were exposed to the EPNs in 30 ml soil cups based on procedures described by Shapiro-Ilan et al. (2011, Journal of Nematology). Pupal survival was determined after seven days. Infection was confirmed by examining pupae under a dissecting microscope for presence of infective juvenile nematodes. There were three replicate of seven pupae per treatment and control. The entire assay was repeated once in time (hence two full trials). Treatment effects were elucidated with ANOVA and Tukey's test. Results indicated that there was no interaction between treatment and trial effects (P = 0.84); therefore, data from the two trials were combined. All treatments caused reduced survival relative to the non-treated control (F = 7.74; df= 7,32; P < 0.0001) yet there were no significant differences among them. That said, numerically S. carpocapsae caused the lowest survival (though not significantly). In process: we are currently repeating the assays described above but allowing pupae to complete their life-cycle by measuring adult emergence (rather than stopping the assay at 7 d as described above). In preliminary results, it appears S. carpocapsae and S. feltiae may have higher virulence than the other EPN species. For objective 2.1 (Overall estimated progress for sub-objective 2.1: 50%), one field investigation was conducted in order to assess the level of R. pomonella control achieved in orchard blocks having synthetic lures deployed in perimeter-row trees in combination with insecticide sprays with 3% sugar added. Sugar induces feeding in fruit flies upon contact. We expected to bring R. pomonella adults to the baited trees where they could be killed by the insecticide sprays. Subsequent flies arriving to the baited tree canopies were expected to continue sensing sugar on the foliage and fruit, which would induce flies to ingest insecticide residue. We had six cooperating orchards (3 in Massachusetts, 2 in New Hampshire, and one in Maine). For each orchard, two treatments were evaluated (1) attract-and-kill block, consisting of 5-component lures (densities: 5 per acre) deployed every ~30 meters along the four perimeter rows, insecticide sprays mixed with 3% sugar (3 lbs per 100 gallons of water) applied in mid-July, and on early- and mid-August, and (2) grower control block, consisting of whole-block insecticide sprays. Each of the two blocks received 4 unbaited sticky spheres (2 per block side) in the most interior trees to monitor AMF penetration. The attract-and-kill block received 8 unbaited red sticky spheres (3.5 inches in diameter) to quantify AMF densities on baited perimeter-row trees. We expected AMF numbers on perimeter-row monitoring spheres to be significantly greater than the number recorded on interior sticky spheres of attract-and-kill blocks. Trap capture data comparing densities of R. pomonella in the interior of attract-and-kill plots and grower control plots (which received full-block insecticide sprays) revealed no significant differences between treatments. No significant differences in level of fruit infestation were documented for both treatments, indicating good R. pomonella control using an attract-and-kill system that reduces insecticide spray by 70-80%. Additional field research will be conducted in additional orchards to validate our 2019 results. Sub-objective 2.2; overall estimated progress: 80%. There have been a lot of studies published in recent years examining the effects of non-nutritive sugars on pest Dipteran species, predominantly focused on Drosophila spp. Many of these publications show that Drosophila kept on a diet including erythritol leads to a significant decrease in longevity. For this study, we examined the practical applications of non-nutritive sugars, and whether any of these products could be utilized as a toxicant for Drosophila suzukii and Rhagoletis pomonella. For both species, the sucrose component of their diet was replaced with one of the following commercial sugar replacement products: Sweet 'n' Low, Splenda, Equal, Truvia, mannitol and Purevia. Positive and negative diets were sucrose and no sugar, respectively. For both species, Truvia (containing erythritol) significantly decreased the longevity of the flies compared to all other treatments, including the negative control. A similar trial replacing sugar with only Truvia or erythritol showed that erythritol was the active ingredient decreasing the fly longevity. Individual flies of each species were exposed to erythritol solution at rates of 1, 5, 10, and 20 % for 30 minutes, control flies were exposed to water, and survivorship monitored over 48 hours. There were no significant differences in survivorship between any of the treatments for D. suzukii or for R. pomonella. To encourage feeding, individual flies of both species were exposed to erythritol: sucrose solutions at rates of 20:0 %, 15:5 %, 10:10 %, 5:15 %, and 0:20 %, and survivorship monitored over 48 hours. There were no significant differences in survivorship between any of the treatments for D. suzukii and R. pomonella. To assess potential sub-lethal effects of non-nutritive sugar exposure, both species were exposed to approximately 2M solutions of each sugar replacement, Sweet 'n' Low, Splenda, Equal, erythritol, mannitol and Purevia, and water only as a control. A cohort of these flies were then transferred immediately to EthoVision to track their horizontal movement for 30 mins, held for two days on sugar solution then replaced onto EthoVision for movement tracking. There were no significant differences in horizontal mobility between any treatments for D. suzukii and R. pomonella. The rest of the exposed flies were held on their respective egg laying substrates (M:F, 1:1) for two weeks, and the emergence of offspring was recorded thereafter. There were no significant differences in offspring emergence between any treatments for D. suzukii and R. pomonella. Additional research will be conducted with the goal to identify materials with insecticidal properties that would have the potential to be incorporated in the design of the attracticidal sphere for R. pomonella control. The overall estimated progress for objective # 3: 0%. This research component has not been initiated because objectives 1 and 2 have not been completed yet. The proposed research will provide scientifically-based, quantifiable evidence of the efficacy of the integrated system for R. pomonella control in a reduce-spray environment. Extension objective. Research findings from objective # 2 involving using synthetic lures for attract-and-kill of R. pomonella have been shared with a reduced group of growers. One Extension-oriented article is being written at this moment. Overall estimated progress made: 10%.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Pinero, J.C., and Wallingford, A. 2019. Monitoring and Attract-and-Kill systems for two Dipteran pests: Spotted Wing Drosophila and Apple Maggot Fly. 81st New England, New York, Canada Fruit Pest Management Workshop, Burlington, VT, October 22-23, 2019.
  • Type: Other Status: Submitted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Pinero, J.C., Wallingford, A., and Koehler, G. 2019. Evaluation of a grower-friendly attract-and-kill strategy for apple maggot control in New England apple orchards. Fruit Notes (submitted).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2020 Citation: Nixon, L., Leskey, T.C., Pinero, J.C. and Shapiro-Illan, D. Lethal and sublethal effects of non-nutritive sugars on two Dipteran species, Rhagoletis pomonella and Drosophila suzukii. In preparation for Pest Management Science.