Field evaluation of reduced insecticide spray programs for managing plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in Alabama peaches

Abstract

All the TIS programs evaluated provided effective control of PC and represent potential alternatives to the conventional weekly spray program in peaches with concomitant reduction in insecticide usage and associated costs. However, an additional spray may be necessary for effective control of PC and stink bugs in late-season peach varieties.

Establishing abiotic and biotic factors necessary for reliable male pheromone production and attraction to pheromones by female plum curculiosConotrachelus nenuphar(Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…We therefore expected female attraction to live males to be greatest between two and eight mature males (Leskey and Prokopy 2001). We also predicted that virgin and mated females would exhibit a similar attraction to males, based on what was found in other olfactometer trials with PC (Akotsen-Mensah 2010). Sexually mature males are capable of mating with females with most matings occuring between 16–20 days (Johnson and Hays 1969); PC have been observed to take an average of 13 days to mature (Smith 1957; Smith and Salkeld 1964).…”

“…Differences between olfactometric and field studies have been noted in the past (Leskey et al . 2001; Akotsen-Mensah 2010). In both strains females were attracted to two virgin males; however five males were found to be repulsive only to the multivoltine strain.…”

“…The situation may be different in the wide-open areas of the field, where a stronger stimulus (larger cluster of males) may be needed to attract females from farther away (i.e., females emerging from over-wintering sites in neighbouring woodlots). Differences between olfactometric and field studies have been noted in the past Akotsen-Mensah 2010). In both strains females were attracted to two virgin males; however five males were found to be repulsive only to the multivoltine strain.…”

“…106 ® , Son-Art Production, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada) was used to cover a neon light (40 W); the sole source of light during experiments since PC are not perturbed by red light (Prokopy et al 1995). At the beginning of each trial one female was introduced into the olfactometer and left for 30 minutes, after which its position was noted and the female removed; only insects found within a radius of 10 mm or within the tubes leading to the odour jars (e.g., test or control odour zones) were used for statistical analysis; other positions were considered as no choice having been made and were disregarded (average of 25%) (Altuzar et al 2007;Tinzaara et al 2007;Akotsen-Mensah 2010). Each female was considered one replicate, and odour zones were randomised after each replicate.…”

Evaluating potential trap crops for managing leaffooted (Hemiptera: Coreidae) and phytophagous stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) species in peaches

“…Peach, a high value crop mainly produced for the fresh market, has zero tolerance for insect damage. As a result, growers typically rely on multiple calendar applications of conventional pesticides to produce unblemished fruits (Akotsen‐Mensah et al , ). Extensive use of insecticides has resulted in many drawbacks, including pest resistance, food toxicity and environmental pollution (Kanga et al , ; Atanassov et al , ; Grutzmacher et al , ).…”