The Backyard Garden: It’s a jungle out...
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The Backyard Garden : It’s a jungle out there… Larry Dapsis Deer Tick Project Coordinator - Entomologist www.capecodextension.org 508-375-6642
Transcript of The Backyard Garden: It’s a jungle out...
The Backyard Garden: It’s a jungle out there…
Larry DapsisDeer Tick Project Coordinator - Entomologistwww.capecodextension.org508-375-6642
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Very novel container gardening idea…
The IPM Toolbox
Pest identification, life cycle - “weak links”
Some damage can be tolerated…it’s a numbers game
Selection of the right tool Pesticide label
Non-targets and the environment
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Integrated Pest Management was developed in the 1960’s and is a central idea to modern agriculture. These same principles can be applied to home gardening as well.
Basic Management Tactics
Removal of crop/weed debris in fall
Soil test
Healthy transplants…get off to a vigorous start
Scout garden regularly…some problems can develop quickly
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Soil test for Ph…adjust if necessary. New England soils are typically acidic. Cape soils by and large are nutrient poor.
Attracting Beneficial Insects to your Garden
Predators Parasites Pollinators
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Flowering herbs provide lots of pollen and nectar to support a variety of beneficial insects…cannot plant too much. Bumble bees do not travel very far to forage so populations can be improved at a local level.
Trichogramma Wasp
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Trichogramma wasp sitting on a caterpillar egg. She is actually measuring the size of the egg and calculating how many she can pack in there that will complete development. Trichogramma are reared on a mass scale in factories. They produce strips of paper with parasitized caterpillar eggs. Widely used as a biocontrol agent in crops like cotton, corn and rice. Not necessary to release in home gardens…they are already there.
Predatory Stink Bugs
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Not all stink bugs feed on vegetation. Note bottom photo…two ganged up on a cicada.
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Very aggressive predator that will eat each other. Upper left…eggs up on filaments. As the eggs hatch larvae climb down the filament and disperse…this allows them time to get away from each other. Top right photo…note sabre-like mandibles…impressive.
Syrphid Flies
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These are hover flies and get confused by people as wasps. Eggs are laid on foliage…the larvae are very good predators of soft bodied insects like aphids.
Seven Spot Ladybird Beetle
Massachusetts State Insect - 1974
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A third grade class from Franklin Elementary went on a letter writing campaign to pull this off! Good for them…
Floating Row Cover
Water and Light Permeable
Uncover during pollination
Do not use when temperatures exceed 80 F
Different Grades Lighter – insect control Heavier – frost
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Will last for several years.
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Every gardener should have a pump sprayer. Use a spreader-sticker for treating plants with waxy foliage like cabbage, broccoli, etc. Bonide makes a hose-end sprayer product with permethrin, a broad spectrum synthetic pyrethroid. It dilutes it to the correct concentration automatically. I recommend this product a lot to do perimeter yard sprays for ticks. See capecodextension.org for more information about this.
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Always have a contingency plan for serious insect problems… ;)
Cape Cod Hazardous Waste Collection - 2017
Pounds Gallons
All Materials 332,000 70,000
Pesticides 33,000 19,000
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Purchase chemicals on an as needed basis and do not “hoard”. This is how much material was taken to our hazardous waste collection events in 2017. If people hold a lot of material in storage they need to really think about first responders in the event of a fire.
Active Ingredient - Imadacloprid
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I recommend gardener to not use products containing this active ingredient. Research has documented that this material is translocated into pollen and nectar and is having an effect on our local bumble bee populations.
OP’s and Carbamates – “Old School”
Broad spectrum and effective
Record Applications …plant and target pest
Sevin - aphid outbreaks…
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Organophosphate insecticides were a mainstay of agriculture post WWII. Most residential uses were banned in 2001 but a few like malathion remain. A number of actives have high acute toxicity. Malathion is one that is relative safe to use. Always read the label…The Label is the Law. In our research trials at Umass-Amherst we found aphid outbreaks after repeated applications of Sevin…it is very toxic to predators and parasites.
Bt – Bacillus thuringiensis
Caterpillar pests only
Timing and Coverage
Non-toxic to people and beneficials
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Effective when caterpillars are small…1/4 to 3/16”. Good coverage is needed since the bugs need to ingest the bacterial spores. Another species of Bacillus is used as an eco-friendly treatment by Cape Cod Mosquito Control.
Pyrethrum
Chrysanthemum family
Quick knockdown No residual control
Spray in early evening to extend activity
Relatively non-toxic
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Grown historically in several African countries like Kenya and East Africa. Australia-Tasmanis now produces 2/3 of the global supply.
Synthetic Pyrethroids “thrins” Broad spectrum with
residual control Low mammalian toxicity
Toxic to Bees and Aquatics including fish
Spray in evening, do not treat flowers
Dried residue on foliage and no soil mobility
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Chemists evaluated natural pyrethrum chemical structure and devised ways to stabilize the molecule and reduce degradation by UV light. Very water insoluble so it stays where you put it. Unlike imidacloprid and other neonicatinoid chemicals potential for leaching to groundwater is essentially zero.
Insecticidal Soap
Contact activity Dried residue not
active
Soft-bodied insects Phyto 90 F+X
Oils
Aphids, mites and beetle larvae
Use Caution
90F+ or below 40F Water stress… New growth…
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The response of applying oils to water-stressed plants is complete defoliation.
Neem Seed Oil
Several modes of action
Systemic
Non-toxic to people and beneficials
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Extracted from the neem seed, a tree grown in India. Mode of action for some insects is an antifeedant and for others, as a growth regulator that interferes with normal development. In India, neem is widely used in consumer products!
Spinosad
Bacterial metabolite
Low impact on predators & parasites
Toxic to bees
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Interesting history… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinosad The one soil sample where this bacteria was found has not been found anywhere else on the planet. This is a great option for many home garden problems.
Japanese Beetle Traps
Pest control ???
Attract more beetles than they trap…
Buy one for your neighbor instead…
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If you don’t like your neighbor buy TWO ;)
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Cape Cod Cooperative Extension does surveillance for invasive species in collaboration with Umass-Amherst scientists. This is an adult male Spotted Wing Drosophila.
Pest of RIPENING, soft skin fruits
Spotted Wing Drosophila
Many generations/season
Timely Harvest & Insecticides
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Generation time of about 1 week so populations can grow quickly. Our experience on the Cape so far shows that June strawberries are largely not effected as are early variety blueberries. Mid and late variety blueberries and particularly raspberries need protection. Spinosad is a very good option. Apply early evening.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
300 host plants…fruits & vegetables
Cape Cod Situation???
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Based on our surveillance since 2013 we believe it is established. We are not seeing crop damage as yet.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug – Key Characteristics
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Alternating white and black bands on the antennae and alternating white and black triangles along the edge the abdomen. If you see this creature contact Larry Dapsis at 508-375-6642 or [email protected]
BMSB as Home Invader
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As with other stinkbugs they will aggregate in the fall into structures to overwinter. In PA they sometimes find 20,000 in attic crawl spaces!!!
Winter Moth
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Adult males fly November into January. Females are wingless and signal for a mate with a pheromone. Eggs hatch approximately third week of March into small inchworm caterpillars. In some years they can cause substantial damage to trees. A mature oak tree may have 150,000 larvae in the canopy.
Winter Moth Damage - Blueberry
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They have been a big problem for U-Pick blueberry operations. This is Steve Spear owner of Hokum Rock Farm in Dennis. This is a beautiful farm and worth a visit. Steve and Janice would love to see you.
Biological Control of Winter Moth
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Dr. Joe Elkinton, Umass-Amherst has been releasing a parasitic fly for the past 8 years including 4 sites on the Cape. Establishment has been verified. This same approach was used in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. After 14 years winter moth populations remain very low.
Brassica/Crucifer Group
Cabbage Broccoli Cauliflower Kale Brussel Sprouts Kohlrabi
Imported Cabbageworm
Pierid Butterfly
Caterpillar (larva)
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Eggs laid singly…2 generations per year. Damage can be substantial.
Imported Cabbageworm
Options: Row Covers – early season Bt for small larvae, ¼” Neem Spinosad Pyrethrum Pyrethroids
Cross-striped Cabbageworm
Pay attention Eggs laid in masses
Options - same as Imported Cabbageworm
Cabbage Root Fly
Flies lay eggs in soil at base of plant
Three generations
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Larvae consume the plant roots…look for signs of wilting. Spring and fall generations are a bigger problem than second generation.
Cabbage Root Fly
Options
Row covers Planting time
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Early season plantings most impacted. Mid-season much less so…heat and low humidity kills the eggs.
Flea Beetle
Beetles emerge early spring
Options Row cover Spinosad Pyrethrum Pyrethroids
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Note “shot-hole” type damage. Can be a big problem on seedlings.
Cabbage Aphid
-Insecticidal Soap
-Pyrethrum
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Wingless aphids give live birth. The new “babies” are already pregnant with other aphids which is why populations can build rapidly.
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A good management program will reap rewards…
Solanaceous/Nightshade Group
Tomato Pepper Eggplant Potato Tomatillo
Colorado Potato Beetle
Adult Eggs Larvae
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While adults do feed it’s the larvae that do most of the damage, particularly second generation. Eggs are laid on the bottom of the leaves.
Colorado Potato Beetle
Two Generations
Options: Spinosad Pyrethrum Pyrethroids Neem
Tomato Hornworm
Options Bt…small larvae Spinosad Pyrethrum Pyrethroids Hand pick
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Larvae are counter shaded making them difficult to spot. Look for frass pellets on the ground. The adult moth is impressive with a 5” wingspan. You may spot them hovering at dusk.
…and now for something completely different…
Brachonid wasp
Polyembryony
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The wasp injects a single egg into the caterpillar. Normally the egg would divide into 2 cells, then 4, 8, 16, 32…until you have an embryo. In this case the egg divides and splits repeatedly producing perhaps 20 larvae. Those are cocoons from larvae that fed on the larvae’s internal organs before cutting through the surface to pupate.
Curcurbit Group
Summer Squash Winter Squash Cucumber Melons Pumpkin Gourds
Striped Cucumber Beetle
Adult beetles emerge in spring
Options Row covers Pyrethrum, Pyrethroids,
Spinosad Trap Crop – Blue Hubbard
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Blue Hubbard squash is HIGHLY attractive, a beetle magnet. When they aggregate to it they are easily controlled.
Bacterial Wilt
Summer Squash, Cucumber, Muskmelon & Pumpkin – very susceptible
Winter Squash & Watermelon resistant
No control options
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Adult beetles can transmit a bacteria causing wilt…nothing to do but wait for next year like we said about the Red Sox for many years.
Squash Bug
Adults emerge during summer
Pumpkins and winter squash preferred
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Difficult to control…adults hide during the day. Eggs are laid on the bottom of the leaf next to veins and hatch into nymphs which suck out the plant juices.
Adult stage difficult to control
Options Pyrethrum Spinosad Pyrethroids
Squash Bug Damage
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Necrotic foliage is a good indicator of squash bug. The pumpkin photo needs no explanation.
Squash Vine Borer
Moths emerge in June…
Options Row cover…until bloom Spinosad or a Pyrethroid
on stems
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Stems along the ground can be sliced open and larvae can be stabbed with a knife. Then just cover the stem with soil and it will root.
Legumes
Snap Beans Peas Dry Beans Peanuts
Mexican Bean Beetle
Adults emerge early summer
Options Spinosad Pyrethrum Pyrethroids
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Adults and larvae feed on the underside of the leaves.
Japanese Beetle
Adult beetles emerge mid summer
Larvae feed on roots of grasses
Alliums Onion Scallion Leek Garlic Chive Shallot
Onion Root Fly
Flies emerge early spring
Three generations
Options Row Cover
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Similar life cycle to cabbage root fly.
Deer Ticks ...One bite can change your life...
“Ticks and Gardening…”
“…the ultimate marriage!”
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Lyme Disease, the Ecology of a Complex System, Richard Ostfeld, Cary Institute of Ecological Studies, NY – This is a great book. Rick has been very generous in helping me with my education on ticks and tick-borne diseases. He challenges dogma and is a mythbuster…things that are key to supporting our educational objectives.
Got Dirt??? Join the Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners…
Questions?
Master Gardener Hotline 508-375-6700
Bonus Slides! How does Larry do it???
Leafy Greens
Spinach Beet Greens Mixed Oriental
Leaves Swiss Chard Arugula Lettuces
Leaf Miner Flies
Flies lay eggs on bottomside of leaves
Larvae burrow in and feed between the leaf surfaces
Row Cover or Spinosad is effective
Adult
Mine expands from a point as larva grows
Umbellifers
Carrot Celeriac Celery Parsley Fennel Dill
Umbelliferous feeding insects rarely cause significant damage
Carrot Rust Fly – larvae feed on root, like onion and cabbage root flies If established as a problem consider row covers
Leafhoppers – suck plant juices and lead to yellowing, loss of plant vigor
Black Swallowtail – Caterpillars feed on foliage, but usually not in large numbers
Asparagus
Striped and Spotted versions
Adult Beetles emerge in spring…Row Covers or Pyrethrum applied to spears
Spinosad or Soap applied to ferns to control larvae
Cutworms – Black Cutworm most common Moth larvae that work at
night…hide in soil during the day
Cut off plant at base Also feeds on pepper,
tomato, eggplant, potato, squash
Sporadic problem
Cutworm Larva
Cutworms
Collars made out of paper or plastic can be an effective barrier
Wrapping stems with newspaper also works
Tomato Fruitworm
Same as Corn Earworm Moths carried up from
Southern states on storm fronts in July/August
Look for larvae initially on leaves
Options:Bt Spinosad
Seed Corn Maggot
Flies emerge in early spring and lay eggs in soil – also feeds on peas
Attracted to high organic content soils
Can reduce stand density
Options Row cover until plants
are seedling stage
Larvae
Growing point lost…
Onion Thrips
Tiny – about 1/16” Scrape leaves and
feed on plant juices If using row covers
for onion fly, you will control thrips
Pyrethrum Pyrethroids
Look for brown lines on leaves
Three Lined Potato Beetle Similar life cycle &
damage as Colorado Potato Beetle
Occasional pest of tomato and potato
They REALLY enjoy tomatillo though…
Same management as Colorado PB
Adult
Larvae
Sweet Corn
THE Ultimate Backyard Challenge
Corn Borer, Corn Earworm & Fall Armyworm
Spinosad applications on 3 to 6 day interval June to end of harvest
Treat silks NOT tassles…bees forage corn pollen
