Microbial control of arthropod pests of orchards in temperate climates

Authors: Shapiro Ilan, David; ARTHURS, STEVE - University Of Florida; LACEY, LAWRENCE - Retired ARS Employee

Submitted to: Academic Press
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/26/2016
Publication Date: 9/20/2017
Citation: Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Arthurs, S., Lacey, L. 2017. Microbial control of arthropod pests of orchards in temperate climates. IN: Lacey, L. A. (Ed.), Microbial Agents for Control of Insect Pests: from discovery to commercial development and use. Academic Press, pp. 253-267.

Interpretive Summary: Microbial control is the use of beneficial virus, bacteria, fungi and nematodes for control of pests. Temperate orchards systems have several environmental features that make them conducive to microbial control strategies including adequate soil moisture, shading (protection from harmful UV) and stability. This chapter reviews and analyzes microbial control efforts in temperate orchards, including pome fruit, stone fruit and nut crops. Emphasis is placed on pest complexes that have received most attention as targets for microbial control in North America. Examples where microbial control has been successful include the use of granulovirus and entomopathogenic (beneficial) nematodes against codling moth, and against plum curculio, peachtree borer or lesser peachtree borer, and the combined or single applications of entomopathogenic nematodes, fungi (Beauveria bassiana or Metarhizium spp.) and bacteria (Chromobacterium subtsugae) against pecan weevil. Improvements in efficacy have been made through careful selection of strains or species as well as recent advances in formulation or application techniques. Currently, commercially produced microbial control agents and their derivatives are applied to an increasing number of insect pests in temperate orchard systems; and based on current and future research directions outlined in this chapter, there is great potential for expansion.

Technical Abstract: Temperate orchards systems have several environmental features that make them conducive to microbial control strategies including adequate soil moisture, shading (protection from harmful UV) and stability. This chapter reviews and analyzes microbial control efforts in temperate orchards, including pome fruit, stone fruit and nut crops. Emphasis is placed on pest complexes that have received most attention as targets for microbial control in North America. Examples where microbial control has been successful include the use of granulovirus and entomopathogenic nematodes against codling moth, the use of entomopathogenic nematodes against plum curculio, peachtree borer or lesser peachtree borer, and the combined or single applications of entomopathogenic nematodes, fungi (Beauveria bassiana or Metarhizium spp.) and bacteria (Chromobacterium subtsugae) against pecan weevil. Improvements in efficacy have been made through careful selection of pathogen strains or species as well as recent advances in formulation or application techniques. Currently, commercially produced microbial control agents and their derivatives are applied to an increasing number of insect pests in temperate orchard systems; and based on current and future research directions outlined in this chapter, there is great potential for expansion.