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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #412370
Research Project: Sustainable Management of Arthropod Pests in Horticultural Crops

Location: Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit

Title: Evaluating methyl salicylate lures on natural enemies, pests and meristem damage in red maple fields

Author
item BUTCHER, ALEXANDER - Oregon State University
item RENDON, DALILA - Oregon State University
item HARRINGTON, SINAIAH - Oregon State University
item Lee, Jana

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Horticulture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2024
Publication Date: 9/9/2024
Citation: Butcher, A.M., Rendon, D., Harrington, S., Lee, J.C. 2024. Evaluating methyl salicylate lures on natural enemies, pests and meristem damage in red maple fields. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 42(3):101-108. https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-42.3.101.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-42.3.101

Interpretive Summary: In commercial nursery production, red maple seedlings with meristem damage from suspected insect feeding must be re-pruned and re-staked. To prevent meristem damage, the plant volatile methyl salicylate can be applied as lures to attract predators into a field to feed on pests. This study showed that meristem damage was lower in plots with lures in commercial fields for two years.

Technical Abstract: Red maple seedlings transplanted in spring must grow vertically quickly and insecticides are applied to prevent meristem damage. While sprays have achieved desired results, sustainable options are being sought. Methyl salicylate is a common herbivore-induced plant volatile that is available as a commercial lure to attract natural enemies into farms. We conducted a 2-year field study to determine if MeSA-treated plots had more natural enemies, fewer insect pests, and less meristem damage. There was no clear increase in natural enemies, only the minute pirate bug (Orius), a predator of thrips and aphids, was higher during the end of the second year trial. Winged aphids were lower 2 weeks after application; no other pests were significantly lower in MeSA-treated than control plots. Meristem damage was lower overall in the first year, and for the first 3 weeks in the second year trial. While MeSA was associated with less meristem damage, the mechanism was not clear from arthropod samples and potential reasons are discussed.