scholarly journals Green Lacewings and Water Sprays for Azalea Lace Bug Control1

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 119-125
Author(s):  
Jana C. Lee ◽  
Barry Finley ◽  
S. Michael Flores ◽  
Katerina Velasco Graham ◽  
J. Megan Woltz ◽  
...  

Abstract The azalea lace bug, Stephanitis pyrioides, is a serious pest of azaleas and rhododendrons which is often controlled by systemic insecticides. However, the efficacy of softer approaches such as biological control and water sprays against this pest on rhododendrons is unknown. Therefore, we tested the commercially available green lacewing predator, Chrysoperla rufilabris, and water sprays on lace bug infestation in one laboratory and four field trials. First, 2nd instar predator larvae were confirmed to consume lace bug nymphs and sometimes adults. Second, tapping predator larvae from hexcel units over dry leaves of potted rhododendrons and shaking loose eggs over wet leaves were reliable application methods. Third, predator larvae released onto potted rhododendrons lowered lace bug counts for two weeks. Fourth, after four bi-weekly applications, plants receiving egg cards or water-sprays had reduced lace bug counts and fewer damaged leaves than control plants. Fifth, landscape plants receiving the sequential combination of water spray followed by predator egg releases had 44 to 90% lower lace bug abundance and fewer damaged leaves than the control. After lace bugs were initially dislodged, hatching predators might have consumed hatching lace bugs. Index words: biological control, Chrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister), mechanical control, rhododendron, Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott) Species used in this study: Azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides Scott), green lacewing (Chrysoperla rufilabris Burmeister), Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrianna Szczepaniec ◽  
Michael J. Raupp

Abstract Cotoneasters are important and valuable landscape plants. They are severely attacked by hawthorn lace bug (Corythuca cydoniae) in landscapes and nurseries. Imidacloprid has a wide range of activity against many kinds of insect pests. We were interested in determining if cotoneasters treated with soil applications of imidacloprid in landscapes and containers remained toxic to hawthorn lace bugs for more than one growing season. Cotoneasters planted in landscapes were less damaged by lace bugs in the year that imidacloprid was applied and in the following year. We suspect that residual toxicity of leaves of cotoneasters particularly to the nymphs of lace bugs as the cause. Cotoneasters grown in containers demonstrated toxicity to lace bugs for almost 800 days after the application of imidacloprid to the soil. These data greatly extend the known period of efficacy for imidacloprid in controlling hawthorn lace bug on cotoneasters. Clearly, lace bugs are controlled for a minimum of two years. By reducing the need for repetitive applications, a single application of imidacloprid can reduce time, labor and material costs associated with managing this important pest of cotoneasters.


2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula M. Shrewsbury ◽  
Deborah C. Smith-Fiola

Abstract Greenhouse and nursery studies were conducted to determine an optimal release rate and efficacy of green lacewing (glw) larvae, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), for suppression of azalea lace bug (alb), Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott). In a greenhouse study, different densities of lace bugs (40 or 80 per plant) did not influence the percent mortality caused by green lacewings. However, greater numbers of green lacewing larvae released resulted in higher lace bug mortality (5 and 20 glw per plant resulted in an average lace bug mortality of 79% and 97%, respectively). Lacewing larvae released in a production nursery, at rates of 5/plant and 10/plant, and acephate (Orthene) significantly reduced lace bug populations, with green lacewings at 10/plant and acephate reducing lace bug densities more than green lacewings at 5/plant. In a second nursery trial, lacewing larvae released into production blocks of azaleas resulted in a 97% reduction in lace bugs. These studies suggest that augmentative release of green lacewing larvae may provide an alternative control tactic that can be integrated into lace bug pest management programs.


1985 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 156-157
Author(s):  
Peter B. Schultz

Four Cotoneaster species were evaluated for resistance to hawthorn lace bug. In a preference study using adults, the lace bugs preferred C. x watereri Exell. ‘Brandekeir’ when compared to the other 3 species, C. lacteus W.W.Sm., C. nitens Rehd. & E.H. Wils. and C. acutifolius Turcz. Significantly fewer nymphs completed development on foliage of C. lacteus than on C. x watereri ‘Brandekeir,’ C. nitens and C. acutifolius. The presence of dense pubescence is suggested as a factor in this reduced development.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 506b-506
Author(s):  
Carol D. Robacker ◽  
S.K. Braman

Azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) is the most serious pest on azalea. Results of laboratory bioassays and field evaluations of 17 deciduous azalea taxa have identified three resistant taxa: R. canescens, R. periclymenoides, and R. prunifolium. Highly susceptible taxa are `Buttercup', `My Mary', R. oblongifolium, and the evergreen cultivar `Delaware Valley White'. To determine whether in vitro techniques would have potential value in screening or selecting for resistance, or for the identification of morphological or chemical factors related to resistance, an in-vitro screening assay was developed. In-vitro shoot proliferation was obtained using the medium and procedures of Economou and Read (1984). Shoots used in the bioassays were grown in culture tubes. Two assays were developed: one for nymphs and one for adult lace bugs. To assay for resistance to nymphs, `Delaware Valley White' leaves containing lace bug eggs were disinfested with 70% alcohol and 20% commercial bleach, and incubated in sterile petri plates with moistened filter paper until the nymphs hatched. Five nymphs were placed in each culture tube, and cultures were incubated for about 2 weeks, or until adults were observed. To assay for resistance to adults, five female lace bugs were placed in each culture tube and allowed to feed for 5 days. Data collected on survival and leaf damage was generally supportive of laboratory bioassays and field results. Adult lace bugs had a low rate of survival on resistant taxa. Survival of nymphs was somewhat reduced on resistant taxa.


Plant Disease ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Amanda Holland ◽  
Renaud Travadon ◽  
Daniel P. Lawrence ◽  
Mohamed Taieb Nouri ◽  
Florent P Trouillas

Almond trunk and branch canker diseases constitute a major cause of tree mortality in California. Numerous fungal pathogens have been associated with these canker diseases and pruning wounds act as major infection courts. Prior to this study, there were no products registered in California for the management of these diseases. In this study, fungicidal products including synthetic chemistries, biocontrols, paint and a sealant were evaluated for preventing fungal pathogen infection via pruning wounds. In four field trials conducted over two dormant seasons, sixteen pruning wound treatments were tested using hand-held spray applications, against five almond canker pathogens, namely Botryosphaeria dothidea, Neofusicoccum parvum, Cytospora sorbicola, Ceratocystis destructans, and Eutypa lata. The fungicide thiophanate-methyl (Topsin M) provided 82% overall disease prevention against four fungal pathogens. The biological control agent, Trichoderma atroviride SC1 (Vintec), tested at three application rates, resulted in 90 to 93% protection of pruning wounds in field trials, and for individual pathogens ranged from 81-100% protection for the three rates. At the time of this publication, Vintec is being considered for registration as a biological control product for the prevention of almond canker diseases, while Topsin M is recommended to growers for the prevention of almond canker diseases. This research indicates that effective protection of pruning wounds from infection by almond canker pathogens can be achieved with a one-time spray application of thiophanate-methyl or the biocontrol, T. atroviride SC1 (recommended 2 g/liter) after pruning.


2011 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. O. Stockwell ◽  
K. B. Johnson ◽  
D. Sugar ◽  
J. E. Loper

Mixtures of biological control agents can be superior to individual agents in suppressing plant disease, providing enhanced efficacy and reliability from field to field relative to single biocontrol strains. Nonetheless, the efficacy of combinations of Pseudomonas fluorescens A506, a commercial biological control agent for fire blight of pear, and Pantoea vagans strain C9-1 or Pantoea agglomerans strain Eh252 rarely exceeds that of individual strains. A506 suppresses growth of the pathogen on floral colonization and infection sites through preemptive exclusion. C9-1 and Eh252 produce peptide antibiotics that contribute to disease control. In culture, A506 produces an extracellular protease that degrades the peptide antibiotics of C9-1 and Eh252. We hypothesized that strain A506 diminishes the biological control activity of C9-1 and Eh252, thereby reducing the efficacy of biocontrol mixtures. This hypothesis was tested in five replicated field trials comparing biological control of fire blight using strain A506 and A506 aprX::Tn5, an extracellular protease-deficient mutant, as individuals and combined with C9-1 or Eh252. On average, mixtures containing A506 aprX::Tn5 were superior to those containing the wild-type strain, confirming that the extracellular protease of A506 diminished the biological control activity of C9-1 and Eh252 in situ. Mixtures of A506 aprX::Tn5 and C9-1 or Eh252 were superior to oxytetracycline or single biocontrol strains in suppressing fire blight of pear. These experiments demonstrate that certain biological control agents are mechanistically incompatible, in that one strain interferes with the mechanism by which a second strain suppresses plant disease. Mixtures composed of mechanistically compatible strains of biological control agents can suppress disease more effectively than individual biological control agents.


PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi Zeng ◽  
Lingbing Wu ◽  
Yao Zhao ◽  
Yueli Yun ◽  
Yu Peng

Background Tea is one of the most economically important crops in China. However, the tea geometrid (Ectropis obliqua), a serious leaf-feeding pest, causes significant damage to tea crops and reduces tea yield and quality. Spiders are the most dominant predatory enemies in the tea plantation ecosystem, which makes them potentially useful biological control agents of E. obliqua. These highlight the need for alternative pest control measures. Our previous studies have shown that tea saponin (TS) exerts insecticidal activity against lepidopteran pests. Here, we investigate whether TS represents a potentially new alternative insecticide with no harm to spiders. Methods We investigated laboratory bioactivities and the field control properties of TS solution against E. obliqua. (i) A leaf-dip bioassay was used to evaluate the toxicity of TS to 3rd-instar E. obliqua larvae and effects of TS on the activities of enzymes glutathione-S-transferase (GST), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CES) and peroxidase (POD) of 3rd-instar E. obliqua larvae in the laboratory. (ii) Topical application was used to measure the toxicity of 30% TS (w/v) and two chemical insecticides (10% bifenthrin EC and 50% diafenthiuron SC) to two species of spider, Ebrechtella tricuspidata and Evarcha albaria. (iii) Field trials were used to investigate the controlling efficacy of 30% TS against E. obliqua larvae and to classify the effect of TS to spiders in the tea plantation. Results The toxicity of TS to 3rd-instar E. obliqua larvae occurred in a dose-dependent manner and the LC50 was 164.32 mg/mL. Activities of the detoxifying-related enzymes, GST and POD, increased in 3rd-instar E. obliqua larvae, whereas AChE and CES were inhibited with time by treatment with TS. Mortalities of E. tricuspidata and E. albaria after 48 h with 30% TS treatment (16.67% and 20%, respectively) were significantly lower than those with 10% bifenthrin EC (80% and 73.33%, respectively) and 50% diafenthiuron EC (43.33% and 36.67%, respectively). The highest controlling efficacy of 30% TS was 77.02% at 5 d after treatment, which showed no difference to 10% bifenthrin EC or 50% diafenthiuron SC. 30% TS was placed in the class N (harmless or slightly harmful) of IOBC (International Organization of Biological Control) categories for natural enemies, namely spiders. Conclusions Our results indicate that TS is a botanical insecticide that has a good controlling efficacy in E. obliqua larvae, which suggests it has promise as application in the integrated pest management (IPM) envisaged for tea crops.


1988 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt D. Thelen ◽  
James J. Kells ◽  
Donald Penner

Field trials were conducted in 1985 and 1986 to determine the effect of incorporation on volatilization of clomazone from soil. Volatilization was detected up to 2 weeks after surface-applied or soil-incorporated treatments of clomazone at 1.1 kg ai/ha. The amount of volatilization detected was greatest following rainfall and varied between years. More clomazone volatilized after surface application than after incorporation, regardless of the climatic conditions present. Clomazone volatilization detected was in the order of no-tillage > minimum tillage > conventional tillage.


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