Organic Integrated Pest Management

Dr. Ayanava Majumdar (Dr. A)Ext. Entomologist &

State SARE CoordinatorAuburn, AL 36849

Tel: (251) 331-8416bugdoctor@auburn.edu

HT Training Workshops, AL, 2013

EXTENSION RESOURCES

ACES Commercial Horticulture Team – Vegetable IPM Team Members

ACES Home Grounds Team – Vegetable IPM Team Members

Chris Becker, REA Willie Datcher, REA Mike McQueen, REA

Alfred Jackson, Tuskegee Univ. Extension

Publications

• Promotional materials (bookmarks)• Extension bulletins (packets)• Websites: www.aces.edu/go/87• Alabama SARE Website• IPM newsletter (weekly email)

• Small size• Small food requirement• Rapid and prolific reproduction

– Parthenogenesis• Grow by molting (control over

growth rate)• Life stages feed on different

substrate

Why are INSECTS so successful?

Why are INSECTS so successful?

High Tunnel Environment• It gets hot & humid (PASSIVE VENTILATION)• It is very dry on leaf surface (NO RAINFALL)• High planting density & diversity (HOST PLANTS)• Bottom line 1: Prevention is better than cure!• Bottom line 2: Manage insects when they are

small!

Types of Plant Injury by insects

First know the definitions…INJURY

DAMAGE

Damage = injury + economic loss

Plant injury by INSECTS• Direct injury caused by feeding:

chewing mouthparts VS. sucking mouth parts

• Direct injury caused during oviposition: dimpling on tomato by thrips egg-laying

Image: UFL IFAS Ext.

Image: UFL IFAS Ext.

Plant injury by INSECTS

• Indirect injury from insect products: honeydew causes sooty mold (aphids, whiteflies)

Image: TopTurf.netImage: Iowa State

Plant injury by INSECTS

• Injury from disease transmission: aphids, thrips

Transmit cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), potato virus Y (PVY)

Transmit tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)

Images: U Wisconsin & Queensland Govt., Australia

Plant injury by INSECTS

Integrated Pest Management Tactics

(Organic farming)

What is IPM?• “Integrated pest management (IPM) is a threshold based decision management system which leads to judicious use of multiple pest control tactics.”

• IPM is currently insecticide-intensive…

• Major losses occur due to:

• Lack of early detection of insects

• Insecticide resistance by misuse

• Loss of natural control with insecticides

Decision making in organic IPM…

• Insect detection & monitoring• Insect identification• Population pressure• Economic threshold• Make treatment decision >>> 3-tiered

approach

USDA Crop Pest Management Practice Standard

Organic Food Production Act - 1990

National Organic Program (NOP)

7CFR Section 205

Ref.: OIA North America, Gainesville, FL

Primary focus to prevent insect pests, weeds, & diseases.

USDA National Organic Program Standards (applicable in gardening situation also!)

• Level 1: Systems-based practices (cultural practices,

sanitation, crop rotation, trap crops*)

• Level 2: Mechanical and physical practices (barriers,

lures/traps, repellents, hand-picking, net house*)

• Level 3: Biorational & other material (OMRI

approved insecticides)

*Discussed later in this presentation

Starting Point for IPM…• Emphasis on Pest Detection & Correct Identification:

– INSECT PHEROMONE TRAPS for improved scouting– Trap Catch = Pest Density X Pest Activity (Taylor, 1963)– Insect Monitoring Project in Alabama, 2009-2010

Corn rootworm trapSticky wing trap

Stink bug trap

Beet armyworm2010 2009

13 moths/trap

11 moths/trap

53 moths/trap

46 moths/trap

Traps placed near vegetable fields

10 moths/trap

21 moths/trap

55moths/trap

53 moths/trap

Tomato Fruitworm2010 2009

6 moths/trap

1 moths/trap

21 moths/trap

2 moths/trap

Traps placed near vegetable fields

10 moths/trap

25 moths/trap

11 moths/trap

6 moths/trap

LEVEL 1 IPM RESEARCH:TRAP CROPPING SYSTEMS

Major Principle of Trap Cropping• Insects have differential host preference • Insect may feed and reproduce in preferred host

Managing Yellow margined leaf beetle (YMLB) Population with Trap crop

YMLB is a serious pest of cruciferous crops

• Cabbage

• Turnips

• Mustard

• Radish etc.

Migrates into vegetable field in early October

Damage: October – May

Damage

Both adults and larvae feed on foliage by first making small holes; later serious defoliation

Defoliation of larvae on turnip Mass attack of adults on napa cabbage

Main cropTrap crop

Turnip

Napa cabbage

Field Trials-Managing YMLB with Trap cropSpring 2011

35 ft

Trap Crops inTomato Production System

Perimeter trap crop study (Brewton, AL, 2011 & 2012)

Tomato main crop

NK300 Sorghum trap crop

Perimeter trap crop study (Clanton, AL, 2012)

Sunflower (Peredovik)

Sorghum (NK300)

Main crop: Tomato

Sunflower (Peredovik)

Sorghum (NK300)

Main crop: Tomato

Perimeter trap crop study (Cullman, AL, 2012)

Trap crop study for leaffooted bugs(Clanton, AL, 2012)

Obs. 1 Obs. 2 Obs. 3 Obs. 4 Obs. 5 Obs. 6 Obs. 70 0 0 0 0 00

18

42

1

4

19

11

20 0 00

22

0

3

DKB5400 (sorghum trap crop)NK300 (sorghum trap crop)Sunflower (trap crop)Tomato (main crop)

Insecticide treatment and/or manual removal in organic situation

(21 July) (4 Aug.) (5 Sep.)

Numbers indicate leaffooted bugs (LFBs) on 20 heads of trap crops and 20 tomato plants for comparison purposes. Trap crops planted on May 16. Main crop planted on June 1. Trap crop treated with Mustang Max (zeta-cyper. @ 4 oz/A) on Sept. 5, 2012. Result = 78% LFB control in 5DAT. Tomato main crop is attacked by LFBs after the trap crop is ineffective (in October).

(13 Aug.) (7 Sep.) (20 Sep.) (4 Oct.)

Manual removal in organic situation

Trap crop study for leaffooted bugs(Cullman, AL, 2012)

Obs. 1 Obs. 2 Obs. 3 Obs. 4 Obs. 5 Obs. 60 0 0 0 0 00

33 33

0 0 00

56

17

0 0 00

42

01 5

DKB5400 (sorghum trap crop)NK300 (sorghum trap crop)Sunflower (trap crop)Tomato (main crop)

(24 July) (30 Aug.) (4 Sep.)

Numbers indicate leaffooted bugs (LFBs) on 40 heads of trap crops and 40 tomato plants for comparison purposes. Trap crops planted on June 18 & 27. Main crop planted on July 3. Trap crop treated with Mustang Max (zeta-cyper. @ 4 oz/A) on Sept. 7, 2012. Result = 100% LFB control in 7DAT. Tomato main crop is attacked by LFBs after the trap crop is ineffective (in October).

(14 Sep.) (24 Sep.) (4 Oct.)

Insecticide treatment and/or manual removal in organic situation

Manual removal in organic situation

Insect Netting Applications

Insect netting on the sides of a high tunnel

Use insect netting over the entire high tunnel frame

Biological Control Agents or Natural Enemies

Nat

ura

l En

emie

s

36

Predators: – Ladybugs, Spiders

• General feeders• Eat several prey• Larger and stronger than the prey

Parasitoids (=parasites): – Wasps, Flies

• Specialist feeders• Kill only one host (pest)• Smaller than the host

Pathogens: – Bacteria, Fungus & Viruses

• Micro-organisms that cause diseases in insects

Who kills Pests?

http://www.harvesttotable.com/2012/06/parasitic-wasps-beneficial-insects/

extension.entm.purdue.edu

Flicker.com

37

PredatorsGreen lacewing

Larvae

Larvae© Rao Balusu

© Rao Balusu

ucanr.edu

Eggs

Lady beetles Hover flies

Abulrfan

Robber flies

www.ipm.ncsu.edu

Bigeyed bugs

Assassin bugs

Minute pirate bugs

Crab spiderWolf spiderOrb weavers

Spinded soldier bug Spiders

farmerfredrant.blogspot.com

38

ParasitoidsTrichogramma wasp

shareourgarden.blogspot.com

Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc

Aphidius wasp

www.ipm.ucdavis.edu

Mummified aphids

Wasp in actionwww.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu

Trichopoda pennipeshttp://bugguide.net/node/view/6647

Tachinid flies

39

Conserving Natural Enemies Don’t reach for the pesticide spray

Limit use of broad spectrum insecticides Use pesticides that are compatible with biological control

Microbials : Bt Botanicals: Neem

Provide foods that adults need Flowering plants:

To attract natural enemies To provide shelter/shade To produce pollen and nectar

Grow mixture (diversity) of plants for continuous source of flowers

wildlifetrusts.org

www.scri.ac.ukt

Insecticides for Organic Vegetable Production

Insecticide Mode of Action (MoA)Physical dessicant – kaolin clay, ash

Contact action – vegetable oils, horticultural oils, neem, pyrethrin, insecticidal soap, spinosyn, Beauveria, Metarhizium

Stomach action – Bt (Dipel)

Volatile action – Garlic Barrier, Cinnamite

Friend of friends – Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

• Bt kurstaki acts on small caterpillars

• Caterpillars in cool-season crops, tomatoes, pepper

• Bt tenebrionis for beetles

• Frequent appl., thorough coverage needed

• Prefer the liquid than concentrate

• 0 Pre Harvest Interval (PHI)

• MoA video: http://www.biorationalapproach.com/video/?vid=453#ooid=ZmY3NzNTrrL7D1OVJOYbt7dX3dkeSkom

Mode of Action: Bt

Image: Dr. Jurat-Fuentes, University of Tennessee

Pyrethrin/Pyrethrum

• Broad-spectrum insect control

• Pyganic 1.4EC, 5 EC – OMRI approved

•Pyrethrin + piperonyl butoxide (PBO-synergist) not organic

• Insects may recover

6% AI6o% PBO

Permethrin – NOT organic insecticide!

Neem-based Insecticides

Neem (oil)OMRI approved

Neem II (oil + pyrethrin)

• Contact action, controls immature insects!

• Look for azadirachtin on label (Molt-X, Neemix)

• Target pests: aphids, armyworms, scales, thrips, WF

• Clarified hydrophobic extract of neem oil may have no azadirachtin

For commercial producers

Insecticide PremixesAzera (MGK): • OMRI approved• Mix of azadirachtin + pyrethrin• Interferes with molting, rapid knock-down• Contact, stomach action, IGR• Effective against stink bugs (brown

marmorated stink bug)

Mix of neem + pyrethrin (Green Light)

Common name Product Pesticide type

OralLD50 (mg/kg)

Best against

Spinosyn A, D Entrust (SpinTor phase out)

In (St) >5000 CPB, ImCW, CEW, FAW, BAW, CL, DBM

Spinetoram Radiant 1SC In (St) >5000 CPB, CEW, ECB, ImCW, CL, Thr

MoA: Mimic neurotransmitter, hyperexcite insects

Entrust: for ORGANIC producers

Spinosyn

Spinosyn…a good rotation partner

• Excellent for thrips, leafminers, looper, DBM, CPB, control

• Monterey product is OMRI approved

• 1 day PHI

Insecticidal Soap• Potassium salt of fatty acids• Control soft-bodied insects (aphids, whiteflies)• Some short-chain fatty acids are herbicides

(household detergent)• No residual action, not rain fast

OMRI Approved

Not OMRI Approved

Kaolin Clay• Present naturally in soil in tropical countries• Foliar spray at high rate (25 lb/A)• OMRI approved – Surround WP (95% clay)• Natural desiccant, feeding deterrent

Vegetable Oils• Physical poisons• Short residue• Effective against soft-bodied insects• Do not use if temps are >90F• May not be OMRI approved

Canola oil (96%)

Soybean oil (93%)

Sesame oil 5%Fish oil 92%

Pyola Insect Spray = vegetable oil + pyrethrin

Insect pathogen: Beauveria bassiana• Contact action• Slow acting but effective• Target pests: nymphs & adults of

whiteflies, thrips, aphids, mealy bugs, scarab beetles

• Check label for OMRI

OMRI approved

Organic Insecticide Research– Insecticide rotations– New formulations/delivery systems

Good rotation partners

Tomato fruit protection (Cullman, AL, 2012)

Crop: Tomato, planting date: July 9, insecticides applied using C02 sprayer at 40 GPA. Replications = 4. Insecticide treatment dates: Sept. 6, 14, 21. Data indicates percent damaged fruits (10 fruits/plot).

Treatments AI Sept. 24 Oct. 4

Range of damage (%)

Average damage (%)

Range of damage (%)

Average damage (%)

Xentari Bt 20-60 37.5 10-40 20.0

Pyganic Pyrethrum 20-50 35.0 20-40 32.5

Xentari + Pyganic Tank-mix 20-50 30.0 10-60 27.5

Untreated check 90-100 95.0 40-80 55.0

*OMRI-approved for organic vegetable production

Tank mix of approved insecticides may improve control effectiveness. Research will continue on evaluating further tank mixes and trap crops.

Fruit quality with Xentari (Bt aizawai)(Cullman, 2012)

Untreated crop with 90% caterpillar damage &

irregular fruit size

Xentari foliar treatment with <20% caterpillar damage &

uniform fruit size

Fruit quality with Pyganic (pyrethrum)(Cullman, 2012)

Untreated check Pyganic foliar

90% fruit damage

30% fruit damage

Fruit quality with Xentari (Bta) + Pyganic(Late season treatment, Cullman, 2012)

Check plots Xentari + Pyganic foliar

Mite control in high tunnelLocation: Brannon Farm, Addison, AL, 2012Crop: TomatoPest: Two-spotted spider miteTreatment: Insecticide rotation in high tunnel tomatoes. Suffoil –X has paraffinic oil. Acramite has bifenazate. Entire rows treated with untreated plants at the two ends. Observation: Mites per 20 leaflets on each observation date.

Obs. 1 (July 6) Obs. 2 (July 15) Obs. 3 (July 23)0

2

4

6

8

10

12

8.2

6.5

1.9

8.2 7.8

9.6

Treated cropUntreated Ch. (tunnel ends)

Suffoil-X @ 1Ga/100Ga water

Acramite 50WP @ 1lb/A

Organic + Conventional Approach

Efficacy of SUFFOIL-X & JMS STYLEY-OIL for Two-spotted Spider Mite Control 2012

27 Sept. 3 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct.

14

35

1711

56

45

12

34

26

1823

3227 Untreated check

Suffoil-X (0.01%)JMS Stylet-Oil (3 qt)Bifenthrin 5 oz/A

Crop was tomatoes. Location: Chilton REC, Clanton, AL. Numbers indicate spider mites on 40 tomato leaves.

Reduction in mites with JMS Stylet-Oil & Suffoil-X is good but action could be slow!

Spider mite managementALTERNATIVE MITICIDES:

• Layton et al. (2011): 2 applications of insecticidal oil, insecticidal soap or neem oil provided good TSM control

• OMRI approved: Grandevo (extracted from Chromobacterium subtsugae) – 2 treatments on strawberry provided 63 to 80% mite suppression

Aphid control in Collards: BotaniGard, Molt-X, Suffoil-X (Brewton, AL, 2010)

Arthropod Management Tests, 2012, Vol. 37