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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #280900
Title: Evaluation of methyl salicylate lures on populations of Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and other natural enemies in vineyards

Author
item GADINO, ANGELA - Oregon State University
item WALTON, VAUGHN - Oregon State University
item Lee, Jana

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/18/2012
Publication Date: 7/12/2012
Citation: Gadino, A., Walton, V., Lee, J.C. 2012. Evaluation of methyl salicylate lures on populations of Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and other natural enemies in vineyards. Biological Control. 68:48-55.

Interpretive Summary: Methyl salicylate (MeSA), is volatile released by plants under herbivore attack. Application of synthetic MeSA on plants can attract natural enemies. A study evaluated the effect of synthetic MeSA lures (PredaLure) on pests and natural enemies during the 2009 and 2010 seasons in two Oregon vineyards (Dayton and Salem). MeSA lures were placed at a low (4/plot or 260 lures/ha) and high (8/plot or 520 lures/ha) rate in ~ 152 m2 plots while control plots contained no lure. The mite Typhlodromus pyri is a predator of the grapevine rust mite, Calepitrimerus vitis in Pacific Northwest vineyards. Leaf samples were collected to assess predator mite, rust mite, spider mite and thrips abundance in MeSA treated plots and control plots. Yellow sticky traps monitored other predators such as minute pirate bugs, spiders, lady beetles, and hover flies, as well as leafhopper pests. The response of predatory T. pyri to MeSA was not consistent at the two field sites over two seasons. However, lady beetle abundance was significantly higher in MeSA treatments in both years at Dayton. No differences in rust mite abundances were found between treatments in both years. In 2009 at Salem, significantly lower pest thrips densities occurred in low rate MeSA treatments in the latter part of the season.

Technical Abstract: Methyl salicylate (MeSA), an herbivore induced plant volatile, can potentially elicit control of pests through attraction of beneficial arthropods. This study evaluates the effect of synthetic MeSA lures (PredaLure) on arthropod populations during the 2009 and 2010 seasons in two Oregon vineyards (Dayton and Salem). MeSA lures were deployed at a low (4/plot or 260 lures/ha) and high (8/plot or 520 lures/ha) rate in ~ 152 m2 plots while control plots contained no lure. The predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri is considered a key biological control agent of the grapevine rust mite, Calepitrimerus vitis in Pacific Northwest vineyards. Leaf samples were collected to assess T. pyri, C. vitis, spider mite (Tetranychidae) and thrips (Thripidae) population densities in MeSA treated plots to control plots. Yellow sticky traps were used to monitor other key arthropod groups, including Anthocoridae, Araneae, Cicadellidae, Coccinellidae and Syrphidae. Our data did not display consistent trends in T. pyri response to MeSA between treatments at the two field sites over two seasons. Mean seasonal coccinellid counts were significantly higher in MeSA treatments in both years at Dayton. No differences in C. vitis population densities were found between treatments in both years. In 2009 at Salem, significantly lower pest thrips densities occurred in low rate MeSA treatments in the latter part of the season although no trend of decreased seasonal abundance was evident.