Location: Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection
Project Number: 8080-21000-032-042-T
Project Type: Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2023
End Date: Aug 31, 2026
Objective:
Plum curculio is a persistent native pest that has very few effective management options. Here, ARS is proposing to develop more effective tactics based on combining an ultra-low rate of Surround (kaolin clay) with labelled insecticides to provide increased insecticide efficacy and behavioral repellency against this pest.
The objectives of this project are to: 1) Evaluate the efficacy and residual activity of single compound insecticides alone and in combination with a low rate of Surround against plum curculio (PC) in laboratory, semi-field and field experiments; 2) Evaluate efficacy of full block and border sprays with the two most effective insecticide combinations; and 3) Share results from these studies to extension personnel and regional growers.
Approach:
Field trials will be conducted assessing the efficacy of labelled insecticides for plum curculio management alone and in combination with a low rate of Surround (kaolin clay). Injury will be assessed for each treatment every two weeks until normal late-June fruit absiccion occurs. Additionally, efficacy and influence will be evaluated on mobility in laboratory trials using Ethovision using colony-reared insects.
