The tolerance of tomato potato psyllid life stages to ethyl formate

Abstract

Methyl bromide fumigation became mandatory for capsicums and truss tomatoes exported to Australia after tomato potato psyllid (TPP) was detected in 2006 in New Zealand. Methyl bromide detrimentally affects product quality by increasing rots and the browning of the green stems. An alternative being tested is ethyl formate (EF) and carbon dioxide, commercially available as VAPORMATE®. This study examined the tolerances of different life stages of TPP to EF. Eggs were considerably more tolerant of EF than adults and nymphs. Complete elimination of egg hatch was achieved after a 1-h exposure to 1.19% EF. In contrast, all nymphs and adults were killed after a 1-h exposure to 0.12% and 0.06% EF, respectively. Assessment of egg mortality was altered to better reflect the post-hatch treatment effects on nymph survival. In a subsequent egg age tolerance trial, mean lethal concentrations for 99% mortality ranged from ca 1% EF for young and older eggs to ca 1.5% EF for mid-aged eggs.

Prevalence of tomato potato psyllid (<i>Bactericera cockerelli</i> Sulc) on red capsicum fruit in choice and nochoice tests

“…TPP on capsicum fruit Estimated 50:50 sex ratio; *Commercial suppliers were contained as described above, then placed at 20°C for 7 days to allow sufficient time for the adults to lay eggs. At least 60 TPP adults were similarly collected and placed with an excised tomato leaf as described by Jamieson et al (2015). At the end of seven days, adults were removed and counted and any eggs counted.…”

Efficacy of ethyl formate as a disinfestation treatment for codling moth (<i>Cydia pomonella</i>) in apples

“…Therefore, alternatives to MB are being sought by the apple industry to ensure continued market access should MB be restricted, become uneconomical or become unavailable. Ethyl formate (EF) is a generally recognised as safe (GRAS) fumigant that is reported to control many pest species De Lima 2009, 2010Griffin et al 2013;Jamieson et al 2013Jamieson et al , 2014Jamieson et al , 2015Pupin et al 2013;Simpson et al 2004Simpson et al , 2007van Epenhuijsen et al 2007). It has the potential to be used in a management programme with no detectable residues.…”

“…EF combined with CO 2 is commercially available in New Zealand as VAPORMATE™. Lepidopterans such as CM tend to be more tolerant of EF than thrips, scale insects and mealybugs (De Lima 2009, 2010, with eggs often identified as the most tolerant life stage (Ducom 2006;Jamieson et al 2015). Insects inside fruit, i.e.…”