Vegetable Entomology Projects
- Management of silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii (Bellows and Perring) by using various management practices
- Management of the pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugeni Cano (Coleoptera:Curculionidae)
- Management of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae)
- Biology and management of Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera:Thripidae)
- Management of corn silkfly, Euxesta stigmatis (Loew) (Diptera: Otitidae)
- Management of sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Summers) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
- Management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)
- Management of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus)
- Development of a sound management technique for controlling beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner)
Management of silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii (Bellows and Perring) by using various management practices
Rationale
The silverleaf whitefly is an efficient vector of very destructive viruses that infect the most lucrative vegetable crops. The technology available to cope with this present damage is very limited and could break down at any time.
Objectives
Management by using biological, chemical and integrated approaches
Expected Outcome
Based on this study, an easily used and effective sampling method will be developed to quantify SLW infestations in crop fields. Integration of chemical insecticides and biological agents in controlling whiteflies can be expected to help in reducing incidence of whitefly vectored viral diseases. These studies will provide valuable information to develop effective bio-control programs for managing SLW, and in forestalling the development of resistance against imidacloprid and other invaluable insecticides.
Management of the pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugeni Cano (Coleoptera:Curculionidae)
Rationale
The pepper weevil (PW), Anthonomus eugenii Cano, is a commonly occurring important pest of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in Florida, California, Texas, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (Patrock et al., 1992; Patrock and Schuster, 1987; O'Brien and Wibmer, 1982). Feeding by larvae and adults causes severe yield loss and lowers the quality of the fruit (Elmore et al., 1934, Schuster and Everett 1982).
Objectives
The objective of the present study is to quantify the field efficacy of an attract and control approach to managing field populations of the pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in field grown peppers. The experimental product, named the Pepper Weevil Attract and Control Tube, utilizes synthetic pepper weevil aggregation pheromone with an attract and kill approach based upon technology successfully used to manage boll weevil populations in cotton.
Expected Outcome
A primary goal of developing the proper use of the Pepper Weevil Attract and Control Tube is to ascertain whether this technology can reduce the need for early-season pepper weevil control. The concept takes advantage of the naturally occurring biological bottle neck in pepper weevil populations when they are limited to surviving on non-crop hosts such as nightshade. If the product can intercept a high percentage of migrating pepper weevil adults, the need for chemical controls may be pushed back into later in the season. Fewer applications of chemical insecticides should mean more beneficial insects available for biological control. Fewer insecticide applications would also reduce the selection pressure that can lead to the development of insecticide resistance. With very few products available for pepper weevil control, maintenance of the few options available is of utmost importance.
Management of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae)
Rationale
Wireworms are the most destructive pests of various crops in the soil environment. In the South-Eastern USA they cause serious economic loss to sweetpotato, potato and other root crops. In recent years, the wireworm situation is getting worse with the banning of wide spectrum chlorinated hydrocarbons. Currently, none of the labelled insecticides provide satisfactory control of pest wireworms. Moreover, very little is known about their biology (life cycle, vertical and horizontal distribution in different seasons, spatial distribution, food preference), sampling and management.
Objectives
In the present program, efforts will be made to determine various aspect of biology of corn wireworm in laboratory and field conditions. Additionally, various studies will be conducted to manage corn wireworm by using entomopathogenic nematodes.
Expected Outcome
Based on this study, an easily used and effective sampling method will be developed to quantify SLW infestations in crop fields. Integration of chemical insecticides and biological agents in controlling whiteflies can be expected to help in reducing incidence of whitefly vectored viral diseases. These studies will provide valuable information to develop effective bio-control programs for managing SLW, and in forestalling the development of resistance against imidacloprid and other invaluable insecticides.
Biology and management of Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera:Thripidae)
Rationale
Thrips palmi is a very destructive and dangerous pest of bean, cucurbit, egg plant and pepper production during the dry season in South Florida. Growers need practical tools for monitoring the onset of infestation and robust systems to manage the populations of this pest.
Objectives
The objectives for this study include having a more solid understanding of Thrips palmi reproductive biology, determining the best methods of monitoring populations, and creating an integrated pest management program with biological and chemical controls.
Expected Outcome
Growers are using Spintor several times without paying attention to the label recommendation to control T. palmi. This irrational use of Spintor can be expected to trigger new problems, such as resistance of the target insect to an insecticide. Based on research information, growers will be able to manage T. palmi on vegetable crops effectively and scientifically.
Management of corn silkfly, Euxesta stigmatis (Loew) (Diptera: Otitidae)
Rationale
Euxesta stigmatis poses serious economic loss to sweet corn in the South Florida. Aesthetic level of threshold of E. Stigmatis on sweet corn is zero. Very little information is available about its biology and management. With the banning of Parathion, the control of E. stigmatis became very difficult. Currently growers use various chemical insecticides at 2-3 d intervals starting at tasseling until harvest. This practice is seriously harmful to the environment. Research studies must be conducted to develop modern technology that can be used to detect and manage this pest timely and efficiently.
Objectives
The objectives for this study include having a more solid understanding of the biology and life history of E. Stigmatis, and determining effective biological and biorational insecticides for a more environmentally sound management approach.
Expected Outcome
Previously growers used Pencap, Thiodan or Lannate at silking and continued at a two day intervals until harvest to control E. stigmatis. Some of these insecticides are under strict Federal regulations. Growers may not be able to use these insecticides in the future. Current research will facilitate in finding alternative insecticides to control E. stigmatis.
Management of sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Summers) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Rationale
Sweet potato weevil is the most damaging pest of sweet potato in the South Florida. Growers use various soil insecticides to manage this pest. In the instance of properly managed sweet potato, growers lose 5-10% of the harvestable crop due to SPW infestation. In absence of no control measure, a total loss of sweet potato yield is expected. To overcome this pest problem, a very sensitive monitoring tool is essential to detect the initiation of infestation. Environmentally benign but efficient control approach should be adopted to avoid currently used harmful soil insecticides. Research studies need to be conducted to understand clearly biology and behavior of this pest.
Objectives
The objectives for this study include studying the seasonal abudnance and developmental biology of sweet potato weevil, and determining an effective montioring system with sex pheromone, and finding a integrated pest management system using biological and chemical controls, as well as determining cultivars with the highest resistance to sweet potato weevil.
Expected Outcome
The present study will provide information about biology and behavior of SPW. A precise and easy method for monitoring SPW will be developed. As a result growers will be able to initiate SPW management program in a timely fashion. Information on the efficacy of various control methods will help growers to manage SPW using an integrated management program.
Management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)
Rationale
The fall armyworm is a key pest of sweet and field corn. Growers use various harsh chemical insecticides to control this pest. In some instances control is not satisfactory due to the peculiarity in the biology of this pest. Larval development of fall armyworm takes place inside plant parts which allows the larvae to avoid insecticide. In my future study, various experiments will be conducted to evaluate biological and biorational insecticides to manage fall armyworm.
Objectives
The effectiveness of Bacillus thuringiensis based products, such as Javelline, Crymax, Lepinox and other commercially available Bt-based products, and Spintor and Novaluron for the control of the fall armyworm will be determined.
Expected Outcome
Growers will be able to use multiple insecticides in rotation to avoid development of resistance in fall armyworm against any specific insecticide.
Management of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus)
Rationale
The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. is one of the most destructive pests of cruciferous crops in the world. Diamondback moth has adaptive characteristics that permit it to reproduce under extremely varied conditions. It has a short generation time and can exceed 20 generations in a year. Diamondback moth has developed resistance to all major classes of chemicals. More concentrated research is needed on the biology, ecology and unconventional methods of control.
Objectives
Determine the effectiveness of various insecticides at minimum rate in combination with synergist (PBO).
Expected Outcome
It is very essential to address resistance problem in diamondback moth. In most instances, development of resistance is directly related to the intense selective pressure due to excessive use of a specific insecticide. This selection pressure will be reduced by rotating insecticides of various classes in the management program of diamondback moth.
Development of a sound management technique for controlling beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner)
Rationale
The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exiqua (Hubner), is a common pest of tomato and pepper. It causes significant feeding damage to all plant parts. In a certain crop at a certain time, the pest shows clumped pattern of distribution. However, over time, the distribution of beet armyworm damage holes become random or regular in absence of any proper control measure. Even after applying effective insecticides the pest may cause economic damage due to the lack of adequate insecticide coverage on the host crops. Thus, beet armyworm poses a significant yield loss of pepper and tomatoes. Development of a proper pest management program consisting of various control techniques is essential to manage beet armyworm.
Objectives
Determine the effectiveness of various insecticides, biorational and biological, in controlling beet armyworm.
Expected Outcome
Frequent use of any insecticides for controlling beet armyworm will be reduced by rotating multiple insecticides in the proposed management program. Bt based insecticides will be applied to control early development stages of beet armyworm. Conventional chemical insecticides will be applied to control late stage larvae after every two applications of Bt based insecticides. This practice will significantly delay development of resistance in beet armyworms against any insecticides.