Damage characterization and control tactics to broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks) in Paraguay-tea plants (Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil.)

The broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) is referred as one Paraguay-tea (Ilex paraguariensis) pest, an important culture in the south of Brazil, and not existing studies about its control in the Paraguay-tea culture, the present work aimed to characterize the damages and to evaluate control tactics of this pest of Paraguay-tea seedlings, in green house. In the experiment 1, the Paraguay-tea seedlings were divided in two groups of 50 seedlings, divided in 5 repetitions. In one of the groups the seedlings were artificially infested with mites grown in laboratory. Weekly, during 3 months, the plants were appraised, the alterations possibly related to the mites presence were observed. In the second experiment, an identical group of seedlings was infested by the broad mite and 15 days after the following treatments were applied: a) mitecide based on cyhexathin, b) Hirsutella thompsonii fungus isolated CG 541 (1×106 conídios/mL), c) distilled water and d) without infestation, considered control treatment. The evaluations accomplished were before and at the end of the experiment, consisting in counting the mites in 10 leaves/repetition, determination of the height and number of leaves/plantings and dry weight of all the plants (end). The mites concentrated on the abaxial surface of the apical and younger leaves, which presented the screw borders, abnormal ribs development, rough surface and tan. Early leaves fall was also observed. There was no difference in the size of the plants and leaves number, but a 30% biomass reduction in the fungus treatment plants and in those without treatment has happened. The broad mite caused damages to the seedlings in nurseries and the mitecide control reduced the population of the same and the damages.O ácaro-branco (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) é referido como uma das pragas da erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis), importante cultura no sul do Brasil, e não havendo estudos sobre o seu controle na cultura da erva-mate, o presente trabalho objetivou caracterizar os danos e avaliar táticas de controle desta praga em mudas de erva-mate, em casa de vegetação. No experimento 1, as mudas de erva-mate foram divididas em dois grupos com 50 mudas cada, divididas em 5 repetições. Num dos grupos as mudas foram infestadas artificialmente com ácaros provenientes de criação de laboratório. Semanalmente,durante 3 meses, as plantas foram avaliadas, observando-se alterações possivelmente relacionadas à presença dos ácaros. No segundo experimento, um grupo idêntico de mudas foi infestado pelo ácaro branco e 15 dias após aplicaram-se: a) acaricida à base de cihexatina, b) fungo Hirsutella thompsonii isolado CG 541 (1×106 conídios/mL), c) água destilada. Um quarto lote de plantas (d) foi mantido sem infestação, considerado testemunha absoluta. Foi realizada uma avaliação prévia e outra ao final do experimento, para contagem de ácaros em 10 folhas/repetição, determinação da altura e número de folhas/planta e peso seco médio de todas as plantas (final). Os ácaros se concentraram na face abaxial das folhas apicais e mais jovens, que apresentaram as bordas encarquilhadas, desenvolvimento desproporcional das nervuras, superfície áspera e bronzeamento. Também houve queda precoce das folhas. Não houve diferença no tamanho médio das plantas e número de folhas, mas houve redução de 30% da biomassa nas plantas infestadas e não tratadas e tratadas com fungo. O ácaro-branco causou danos às mudas em viveiros e o controle com acaricida reduz a população dos mesmos e diminui os danos

Biological Control of Three Major Cucumber and Pepper Pests: Whiteflies, Thrips, and Spider Mites, in High Plastic Tunnels Using Two Local Phytoseiid Mites

To enhance food security, food safety, and environmental health, a bio-based integrated pest management (BIPM) strategy was evaluated at two coastal locations in Lebanon as an alternative to toxic pesticide sprays in commercial high-arched plastic tunnels common in many countries. The evaluation occurred during two cucumber and pepper cropping seasons: spring and fall. At each site, two commercial tunnels were used; farmers’ conventional practices were applied in one tunnel, while the BIPM approach was followed in the second tunnel. In the farmers’ practices, a total of 14 sprays of insecticide/acaricide mixtures were applied during the spring growing season, and 6 sprays were applied during the fall. In the BIPM tunnels, hotspot releases of local strains of Amblyseius swirskii and Phytoseiulus persimilis were applied. By the end of the spring season, the number of whitefly nymphs (WFNs)/leaf and thrips/leaf in the pesticide treatment were 4.8 and 0.06, respectively, compared to 0.1 and 0.33, respectively, in the BIPM treatment. Similarly, at the end of the fall season, the WFNs reached 19.7/leaf in the pesticide control as compared to 1.2/leaf in the BIPM treatment, proving the efficacy of A. swirskii. Farmers using conventional acaricides during both cropping seasons failed to control Tetranychus urticae, the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM). However, hotspot releases of P. persimilis were successful in controlling TSSM. By the end of June, the number of TSSMs reached 7.8/leaf in the BIPM treatment compared to 53/leaf in the pesticide treatment. Likewise, in December, TSSM numbers reached 9/leaf in the BIPM treatment compared to 40/leaf in the pesticide treatment. Preliminary observations of pepper showed that both predatory mites (A. swirskii and P. persimilis) gave similar or better efficacy against the three pests. The two local predatory phytoseiid mites seem to be effective in controlling these three major pests and to be adapted to local environmental conditions. A rate of increase of 0.86 was observed for P. persimilis and 0.22 for A. swirskii, in June, when maximum temperatures were close to 40 °C. This also shows a compatibility between the two predators. In conclusion, our BIPM approach was efficient under a Mediterranean climate in arched plastic tunnels with relatively poor aeration

Seasonal Phenology, Distribution and Treatments for Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) on Primocane-fruiting Blackberries (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus) in Arkansas

Worldwide, blackberries (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus) are an economically important crop. In 2007, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (broad mites), were first reported damaging primocane-fruiting blackberries in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Since this time, broad mite damage to blackberries and yield loss has been reported in many states and countries. Despite the increasing reports of this blackberry pest, little is known about their population dynamics, and few treatments are available. Growers with broad mite populations need a pest management program to minimize yield loss. Therefore, there was a need to develop sampling techniques, describe broad mite seasonal phenology in blackberry fields, and determine efficacy of various control tactics. The first step was to evaluate a modified two-step floatation water, sugar-water (WSW) method to extract broad mites from Tullgren funnel sample debris and compare counts across sample substrates. Then, broad mite seasonal densities were determined through biweekly sampling of leaves, leaf litter, and soil samples from a blackberry field in Arkansas. From November to late-February, Polyphagotarsonemus latus was found in highest numbers in the leaf litter. Sample counts also showed that the broad mite is highly aggregated prior to uniform distribution in the blackberry field (late May). Laboratory leaf-dip bioassays found that Agri-Mek caused 100% broad mite mortality after 24 hrs; after 72 hours, M-Pede, Microthiol Disperss, and JMS Stylet Oil caused \u3e90% percent mortality and Quillaja caused 83% mortality. The results of these bioassays were used by the Agri-Mek manufacturer to label it for use in caneberries (blackberries) against broad mites in AR and several other states. Field tests were conducted to determine the efficacy of 4 different predatory mite species and sulfur (Amblyseius andersoni (Chant), Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), N. cucumeris (Oudemans) and N. swirskii (Athias-Henriot). Individually, all four species of predatory mites had statistical differences from control plots in at least one field; species efficacy was different by location. Data collected from the seasonal study, bioassays and field trials was used to develop a broad mite fact sheet describing the recommended integrated pest management program for broad mites on blackberries

Occupational allergy in horticulture

The Commodity Board of Horticulture in the Netherlands provided important information on an increasing number of allergic complaints among workers in bell pepper and in Chrysanthemum greenhouses. Both cultivations have become important branches of horticulture under glass in the Netherlands (Figure 3). The presence of work-related allergic symptoms among bell pepper horticulturists has been described in two case reports by Gerth van Wijk and by van Toorenenbergen.8 ·" In 1993 and 1996 two inventory questionnaire surveys were performed among bell pepper gardeners and their employees, showing respectively that 15% and 22% of the workforce attributed their complaints to the work environment in the greenhouses.47 As a possible explanation for these results the high pollen concentrations in the greenhouses were mentioned. The relation, however, between exposure to pollen and the reported symptoms was not further analysed and until now no studies have been published on work-related symptoms among bell pepper horticulturist

Drones: Innovative Technology for Use in Precision Pest Management.

Arthropod pest outbreaks are unpredictable and not uniformly distributed within fields. Early outbreak detection and treatment application are inherent to effective pest management, allowing management decisions to be implemented before pests are well-established and crop losses accrue. Pest monitoring is time-consuming and may be hampered by lack of reliable or cost-effective sampling techniques. Thus, we argue that an important research challenge associated with enhanced sustainability of pest management in modern agriculture is developing and promoting improved crop monitoring procedures. Biotic stress, such as herbivory by arthropod pests, elicits physiological defense responses in plants, leading to changes in leaf reflectance. Advanced imaging technologies can detect such changes, and can, therefore, be used as noninvasive crop monitoring methods. Furthermore, novel methods of treatment precision application are required. Both sensing and actuation technologies can be mounted on equipment moving through fields (e.g., irrigation equipment), on (un)manned driving vehicles, and on small drones. In this review, we focus specifically on use of small unmanned aerial robots, or small drones, in agricultural systems. Acquired and processed canopy reflectance data obtained with sensing drones could potentially be transmitted as a digital map to guide a second type of drone, actuation drones, to deliver solutions to the identified pest hotspots, such as precision releases of natural enemies and/or precision-sprays of pesticides. We emphasize how sustainable pest management in 21st-century agriculture will depend heavily on novel technologies, and how this trend will lead to a growing need for multi-disciplinary research collaborations between agronomists, ecologists, software programmers, and engineers

Yield and Response of First and Ratoon Crops of Eggplant (Solanum melongena) to the Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) under an Integrated Pest Management System

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a highly valued crop with an average production of 10 t·ha–1 and contributes to nearly PhP2 billion in the Philippine economy using conventional farming methods. An integrated pest management system was designed to control the eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB) for increased productivity with reduction on harmful pesticide inputs. Under a split plot in randomized complete block design, two eggplant varieties, i.e., hybrid Banate King F1 (BK) and open-pollinated Dumaguete Long Purple (DLP), were tested under four different pesticide treatments, namely, (1) control–no pesticide, (2) organic–Bird’s chilli extract, (3) synthetic–spinosad + flubendiamide, and (4) combination–Bird’s chilli extract + spinosad + flubendiamide. After data was obtained, the first crops were ratooned and tested under the same IPM system. Data on yield and EFSB damage of the ratoon crops were compared with the first crop as influenced by eggplant variety and pesticide treatment. All plants were grown on plots covered with polyethylene mulch sheets under a uniform fertilization and fungicide regimen. Multiple cropping with regular field sanitation and inspection were also incorporated in the IPM system. Results indicate that BK is a superior variety over DLP with a gross yield of about 40 t·ha–1 and a marketable yield of about 20 t·ha–1 in 22 harvests. Ratoon crops produced lower yield than first crops with only 2 t·ha–1 in 12 harvests. Among the pesticide treatments, synthetic or combination treatments are superior over the control (no pesticide) or organic treatments. Use of open-pollinated DLP and chilli spray is inferior to hybrid and synthetic or combination sprays. Chilli spray also tends to nullify the effectiveness of synthetic pesticides when used in combination. The designed IPM system produced higher yield than conventional methods, but all treatments only provided moderate control over EFSB damage with average yield losses of about 50% in first crops and about 60% in ratoon crops

Emerging and new pests under climate change in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Doctor of Philosophy in Crop Science. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2018.Vegetable production is constrained by pests such as weeds, insects and diseases. The damage caused by pests and diseases can be highly exacerbated by climatic changes and variability. Poor agricultural practices play a role in increasing greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to climate change. Climatic factors such as increased temperature, increased carbon dioxide levels and erratic rainfall are responsible for influencing pest distributions, pest migration and increased pest population. Distribution and migration of pests can also result from globalization, trade and movement of people. Poor biosecurity and phytosanitary measures are also involved in bringing new pests in countries. This study was conducted in Limpopo Province in four municipalities of Vhembe District (Mutale, Musina, Makhado and Thulamela). Quantitative and qualitative techniques were used in data collection. Data was collected through questionnaire surveys, focus groups discussions and key informants. Farmers were randomly selected from a list provided by extension officers in each municipality. Three focus groups were conducted in each municipality consisting of seven women, seven men and a combined group of seven men and women. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to compare mean differences between different variables. Means and significant differences between means were declared at P ≤ 0.05. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of new and emerging pests in Limpopo Province. The major objectives of the study were to evaluate farmer’s perception on climate change and new and emerging pests, to determine the control measures used by farmers to manage vegetable insect pests, to evaluate the role of institutions on insect pest management, and to determine new and emerging pests in the district. Results of the study indicated that long dry spells, late rainfall and warmer winters were major indicators of climate change in Limpopo Province. Famers in all municipalities perceived aphids as major problematic insect pests to vegetables and were not significantly different from each other (P > 0.05). The highest percentage of aphid prevalence was found in Mutale municipality (82.1%) and the lowest was found in Thulamela municipality (66.7%). Tuta absoluta (South American tomato pinworm) and Spodoptera frugiperda were reported as new insect pests in Vhembe District. Tuta absoluta was only reported in Musina municipality. Spodoptera frugiperda was significantly higher in Makhado irrigated system (72%) and was significantly different from Musina municipality (8.3%) and Thulamela dryland system (19%). Bagrada hilaris (bagrada bug) and Acanthoplus discoidalis (armoured bush cricket) were observed as emerging pests in the district. Thulamela dryland system (73%) was significantly different from Thulamela irrigated system (33%) and Musina municipality (41%) in terms of Bagrada hilaris prevalence. Musina municipality (50%) was significantly different from the rest of the municipalities with respect to Acanthoplus discoidalis prevalence (P < 0.05). The lowest prevalence of amoured cricket was found in Mutale irrigated system (9.52%). All municipalities showed that they highly depended on chemical control for pest management. All municipalities except Makhado dryland system, mentioned that chemicals were effective for insect pest management. The percentage of farmers who agreed that chemicals were effective was significantly different from farmers who did not agree that chemicals were effective (P < 0.05). The overall study showed that climatic factors increased the prevalence of insect pests in Limpopo Province. High temperatures could have influenced the population and distribution of insect pests. New insect pests observed seemed to have quickly adapted to climatic factors in Limpopo Province and therefore, resulted to severe damage on host crops. The study also emphasized that chemical control was effective for insect pest management. However, farmers were over applying pesticides to kill insect pests. This resulted in high levels of pesticide resistance. Frequent application of pesticides can be harmful to the environment and to human health, and can also increase the level of pesticide residues on vegetables. More studies need to be conducted on the biology of new and emerging insect pests in Limpopo Province. Awareness on new and emerging insect pests must be raised to assist farmers in preparedness on how to manage insect pests. Farmers need to be trained more on chemical control measures and other control measures such as integrated pest management and biological control for pest management. The government should also train extension officers on climate change and insect pests, climate smart agriculture and effects of pesticides in order to deliver relevant advisory services to farmers