The Virginia Fruit Site
Organic Fruit IPM
- The Program: Organic Programs and
Certification:
- The Tools: Information on botanical
and other organically acceptable insecticides (Further research is
needed
on many organic pest controls. This list is for informational purposes
only; mention of specific materials does not constitute a
recommendation.)
- Azadirachtin
(Aza-Direct, Safer
BioNeem and others) - derived from the neem tree, Azadirachta
indica,
controls by contact or ingestion, acts by way of repellence,
antifeedance,
and interference with the molting process (an ecdysone blocker).
Residual
life is 7-10 days. It is active on a variety of pests. Good
to excellent on rosy apple aphid, spotted tentiform leafminer, codling
moth and oriental fruit moth. Aza-Direct may be applied up to and
including the day of harvest, with orchard re-entry permitted after 4
hours.
Oral LD50 3,540 mg/kg to greater than 5,000 mg/kg. Low
wildlife toxicity except highly toxic to fish (but breaks down rapidly).
- BT
(Bacillus
thuringiensis
(MSDS) (various
trade names, Dipel, Biobit, Javelin etc.) - bacterial insecticide
formulated
as a wettable powder and as an aqueous concentrate. It may be
recommended
in combination with either an adjuvant or another insecticide, so read
the label very carefully. Most effective against newly hatched
caterpillars.
Death is slow because the material must be ingested and the biological
action completed within the insect's gut before death occurs; however,
larvae soon cease feeding after ingesting Bt. Most Bt
preparations
(B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki) are effective on
caterpillars.
Some subspecies are effective on other pests (B. t. var. israelensis
on Coleoptera (M-One for Colorado potato beetle), B. t. var. tenebrionis
on Diptera (e.g. mosquitoes). Most Bt toxins are harmless to
vertebrates,
but some Bt strains do possess toxins more
toxic to vertebrates; they are seldom used. There is interest
in resistance
management
with the advent of Bt-incorporated crops.
- capsaicin (Hot
Pepper Wax) - This is the material that makes chili peppers
hot.
Manufacturers claim control of aphids, spider mites, thrips, whitefly,
lace bugs, leafhoppers, and many other pests. Spray all plant
surfaces,
especially the undersides of leaves where insects hide. After
spraying,
allow about 12 hours for the micro-thin liquified wax to set. text
- entomopathogenic
nematodes - Several types of nematodes are available that
may control a range of agricultural pests. Steinernema
and Heterorhabditis
are two important genera. It is important ot choose the right
nematode
for a given pest. "Cruiser" nematodes are most appropriate for
sessile
organisms, while "ambush" nematodes are effective on motile
pests.
Soil conditions, including soil moisture have a strong impact on
success
of this approach. It may take several weeks to be able to
evaluate
control. Certis
USA provides several entomopathogenic nematodes.
- kaolin (Surround;
for small plantings, Surround
at Home) - Particle Film Technology (PFT), a specialized mineral
that
has been shaped, sized and formulated for use as an insecticide on many
fruit crops. Applications of 50 lbs per 100-200 gals per acre form a
white
"particle film" barrier on treated surfaces. Thorough coverage must be
maintained by multiple applications, usually every 7-10 days, for
effective
control. Possible modes of action may include repellency, deterrence to
egg-laying, irritation, physical barrier and non-recognition of host.
Surround
has demonstrated good to excellent activity against pear psylla,
leafhoppers,
plum curculio, apple maggot and Japanese beetle. It is certified for
organic
fruit production and is exempt from tolerance requirements. Surround WP
has a 4 hr REI and may be applied up to harvest. It should not be
applied
beyond fourth cover on fruit for the fresh market that will not be
washed
before sale, in order to minimize the particle film residue.
- mating
disruption - is registered for control of codling
moth (Isomate-C+, Disrupt CM-Xtra), oriental fruit moth
(Isomate-M100,
Disrupt OFM), lesser peachtree borer
(Isomate-LPTB)
and peachtree borer (Isomate-PTB) and grape
berry moth (Isomate-M100, Disrupt OFM). Hand-placed
dispensers are approved for organic production, but not sprayable and
other
methods that apply the material directly to fruit. Consult a
fruit entomologist before using this approach. Monitor populations with
pheromone traps and damage inspections to make sure mating has been
disrupted,
especially when first using this tactic. Mating disruption works best
with
low-moderate populations; therefore the approach should be used only in
previously managed or newly planted blocks. Follow label guide-lines.
Specific
comments follow: Codling moth - Apply once per season, about
bloom-petal
fall. Uncontrolled sources of immigrations (abandoned blocks, etc.)
should
be at least 60 yards away. Apply conventional sprays through first
cover.
Sprays of edge rows are recommended. Treated blocks should be at least
5-10 acres; avoid irregularly-shaped blocks. Dispensers are applied at
400/A (Isomate) or 200/A Disrupt). Monitor for oriental fruit
moth
and lesser appleworm, especially if near stone fruit plantings.
Oriental
fruit moth - Apply hand-placed dispensers once per season, starting
before
first male flight of the second generation. Dispensers are applied at
100-150/A
(Isomate) or 108/A Disrupt)Follow the label for timing applications of
the 3M sprayable product. Treated blocks should not be smaller than 2
acres
in order to minimize the effect of immigrating gravid females. Economic
benefit may also be derived in non-bearing blocks where OFM is the main
insect pest. Lesser peachtree borer and Peachtree borer - Apply at
petal
fall for LPTB and before first major flight of PTB. Isomate-LPTB
dispensers
will also control PTB when used at higher densities (100/A for LPTB,
and
200-250/A for PTB). Mating disruption has been very effective against
peach
borers, and replaces the special borer spray.
- nicotine - Registrations
cancelled for cucumber, lettuce, and tomato (the last crops for
which
nicotine was registered) on 12/10/03.
- pyrethrum,
and products
- Pyola
(Pyrethrin with Canola oil). Pyrethrum is on OMRI's Restricted
list. See Pyrethrum
Pages.
- rotenone,
and products
(MSDS) -
Rotentone is derived from plants of the genus Derris form
Malaysia,
and Lonchocarpus, from South America. Although it is a
naturally-occurring botanical insecticide, it is prohibited by
OMRI. This material is
highly
toxic to vertebrates, and should be used carefully. It is
sometimes
used as a fish poison.
- rotenone
and pyrethrins, and products
(MSDS) -
Pyrellin, a botanical insecticide blend containing 0.042 lb pyrethrin
and
0.035 lb rotenone per gallon. It is NOT on the OMRI list of approved
materials; while rotanone, as a botanical, is allowed, there are
currently no formulations that meet OMRI requirements. It has
been rated as
providing good
control
of leafrollers and mites. It is registered on apple, peach, pear and
cherry,
and recommended at the rate of 1-2 pts/acre, applied in 25-100 gallons
of water. This product has a short residual life and should be applied
at intervals of 7 days or less. Pyrellin may be used up to and
including
the day of harvest.
- ryania
- from a South American shrub, Ryania
speciosa. A stomach poison that causes a rapid cessation
of feeding. LD50 in rats 750-1200 mg/kg. Moderately to
toxic
to birds and fish. Formerly recommended but currently unavailable.
- sabadilla,
and products
- a neurotoxin usuing alkaloids from a tropical lily, Schoenocaulon
officinale, from Central and South America. Toxic to honey bees.
- Soap, insecticidal (Safer's
Soap,
and products)
-
- Spinosad (Entrust)
- belongs to a new class of insecticides, the Naturalytes, derived from
a soil microorganism, and has been designated by EPA as a reduced risk
pesticide because of low toxicity and environmental benefits. It is
registered
on apple at 5-10 fl oz/A and on stone fruits at 4-8 fl oz/A, and
provides
good control of tufted apple bud moth, variegated leafroller,
obliquebanded
leafroller, spotted tentiform leafminer and western flower thrips.
SpinTor
is the original spinosad product but it is not organically certifiable
becasue of inert ingredients. Entrust is available for organic
growers.
Spinosad provides control by contact and ingestion, with fairly short
residual
activity. Leafminer control is enhanced by the addition of a
penetrating
agent. The mode of action is unique. A neurotoxin, spinosad
affects
nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and possibly GABA system.
Neonicotinoids
affect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors also, but at a different site;
avermectin affects the GABA system, but likewise at a different site.
- spray
oil
- Regulations, Politics, and
Commerce:
- <>The
Pests: Biological and monitoring
information
for direct and indirect pests affecting:
- The Natural Enemies:
- Predators of Mites and Aphids
Reprinted with permission from Mid-Atlantic Orchard Monitoring Guide,
published
by NRAES, 152 Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853-5701. (607)
255-7654