Tuesday, December 11, 2007
D0368

Control of plum curculio and peachtree borers with entomopathogenic nematodes

David Shapiro-Ilan, dshapiro@saa.ars.usda.gov1, Ted E. Cottrell, tcottrell@saa.ars.usda.gov1, Russell Mizell, RFMizell@ufl.edu2, and Dan L. Horton, dlhorton@uga.edu3. (1) USDA-ARS, SE Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory, 21 Dunbar Road, Byron, GA, (2) University of Florida, North Florida Research & Education Center, 155 Research Road, Quincy, FL, (3) University of Georgia, Department of Entomology, 413 Biological Sciences Building, Athens, GA

Plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar, is a major pest of stone and pome fruits. Stone fruits are also plagued by clear-winged moths (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), e.g., peachtree borer (Synanthedon exitiosa) and lesser peachtree borer (Synanthedon pictipes). Entomopathogenic nematodes have potential as alternative management tactics for these pests. Soil applications of entomopathogenic nematodes can control plum curculio larvae, e.g., applications of Steinernema riobrave have produced 78-100% control in peach orchards and wild plum thickets. Entomopathogenic nematodes are virulent to both lesser peachtree borer and peachtree borer. Field applications with S. carpocapsae have resulted in 88-100% peachtree borer control. Field tests have been initiated to determine efficacy in controlling lesser peachtree borer with nematode applications. Additional research is required to incorporate these microbial control tactics into IPM programs.


Species 1: Coleoptera Curculionidae Conotrachelus nenuphar (plum curculio)
Species 2: Lepidoptera Sesiidae Synanthedon exitiosa (peachtree borer)
Species 3: Rhabditida Steinernematidae Steinernema spp (entomopathogenic nematodes)