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Project Leader(s): A. Agnello and D.
Kain, Dept. of Entomology, NYSAES, Geneva, NY 14456
Type of grant: Pheromones;
biorationals; microbials; conventional pesticides
Project location(s): Research location:
Wayne Co. (Sodus and Williamson, NY)
Applicability: All of NY
Abstract: The effectiveness of three
different treatments were compared in the control of infestations and damage
by peachtree borer (PTB) and lesser peachtree borer (LPTB) in commercial peach
orchards: (1) pheromone disruption dispensers combined with directed trunk insecticide
applications; (2) pheromone disruption dispensers only; (3) directed trunk insecticide
applications only. Pheromone dispensers were placed in blocks (2—3 acres)
of peaches on two farms in Wayne Co., and insecticide treatments were applied
to single-tree plots in each block. These insecticide sprays were also applied
to comparable trees in another planting at each farm not containing the pheromone
dispensers. The effectiveness of the different treatments was evaluated by comparing
adult male trap catches in pheromone traps in each block, postharvest excavating
around the trunks to search for borers and damage in the fall, and enclosing
infested cankers with sleeve cages to assess adult emergence at the end of the
season. Pheromone trap catches of both borer species were completely supressed
by the pheromone dispensers in the disrupted plots. Fall 2000 trunk inspection
revealed no damage attributable to PTB infestation in either the test trees
or the untreated checks. In 2001, very low levels of damage were found in all
plots, but there were no treatment differences. On unsprayed trees caged during
2001, higher numbers of LPTB pupal cases were found in non-disrupted peach blocks
than in blocks treated with pheromones. Damaged areas on sprayed vs. unsprayed
trees will be caged in 2002. Results will be used to assess the advisability
of using pheromone mating disruption as a borer management strategy in commercial
peach orchards.
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