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Funded Project |
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Funding Program:
Regional IPM Grants (S-RIPM) |
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Project Title:
Biologically-based management of the citrus leafminer and other key citrus nursery pests in Puerto Rico: A Research and Education project |
Project Directors (PDs):
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Lead State: PR Lead Organization: University of Puerto Rico |
| Extension Funding: $25,500 |
| Research Funding: $47,500 |
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Start Date: Sep-15-2006 End Date: Sep-14-2008 |
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Summary:
The citrus leafminer (CLM), Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, first found in Puerto Rico in 1994, has become a serious pest in citrus nurseries and new orchards. Population control methods currently used by local island nurseries intensively use traditional crop protection chemicals, often requiring weekly pesticide applications. Unfortunately, some of these pesticides have been shown to be detrimental to CLMs usually effective natural enemies, and in the long run these often lead to leafminer outbreaks. Further, there is great concern that runoff-laden waters from nurseries in the islands mountain regions may constitute an important source of water pollution. There is a critical need for validating and implementing CLM biologically-based population management techniques in Puerto Rico. These systems are new to the local production system, but well researched elsewhere. This project seeks to validate these pest management systems in tree nurseries against the citrus leafminer in Puerto Rico. The proposed project also delivers these systems to producers through demonstrations, training and education programs.
Objectives: The objectives of this proposed work is: (1) to conduct validation research for CLM bio-based management tactics in citrus nurseries, using commercially available Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) formulations, and other biologically-based pesticides (i.e., abamectin, rosemary oil, and azadirachtin); (2) to determine the effects of these tactics on CLM natural enemies, and those of other pests (e.g., aphids, other lepidoptera.) ; and (3) to prepare demonstration nurseries at two locations that will be used as a platform for farmers training through presentations, displays, and educational materials. |
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Final Report: |
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Results From report by the PI to USDA CRIS report system PROGRESS: 2006/09 TO 2009/08 OUTPUTS: Field and laboratory experiments have shown excellent promise in the use of reduced risk and biological pesticides to control the citrus leaf miner (CLM) (Phyllocnistis citrella), and the Asian citrus butterfly (Papilio demoleus). The latter is an invasive pest expected to have moderate economic impact on the citrus industry, especially on new plantings. Laboratory experiments with third instar larvae showed that excellent control could be achieved with the use of the biological pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis subs. kurstaki, and of the reduced risk pesticide spinosad, as compared with the control. Other pesticides such as, azadirachtin and rosemary oil were not better controlling the pest than the control (surfactant alone). We also determined and published relevant life history parameters for this papilionid butterfly. Finally we reported the generalist predator Zelus longipes (Homoptera: Reduviidae) as an important source of larval mortality. Our research also provides information to producers on effective biological and reduced-risk alternatives to CLM control. Field-testing of six biological and reduced risk pesticides in two Tahiti lemon nurseries have demonstrated that some of them are effective against the CLM, even under high pest population pressures. We applied pesticides using CO2-powered sprayers at 100 psi; each product was sprayed in conjunction with an organo-silicate surfactant. We applied sham control plants with surfactant at the same spray pressure. We found that spinosad, azadirachtin, and abamectin are capable of suppressing CLM well below economic injury levels (one larva per leaf per growing tip). Other pesticides tested [i.e., B. t. subsp azawai, B.t. subsp. kurstaki, and Ecotrol (Rosemary oil)] did not perform better than the controls. In limited samplings collected from both nurseries sampled, Pnigalio sp. was the most common parasitoid found attacking CLM. Another finding was the confirmation of anecdotal observations that characterize CLM attack intensity higher at lower elevation. CLM attack to nursery stock at Lajas AES (100 ft elev.) was 4-5 times greater than that observed at Adjuntas AES (2,500 ft. elev.). One factor that may explain this finding is the much higher levels of parasitism of Pnigalio sp. at Adjuntas (73.3% n=60 larvae) than at Lajas (6.7% n=60 larvae). A survey of coccinellid predators in over ninety sites in the citrus growing municipalities in western and central Puerto Rico was conducted Several species are commonly collected including: Coelophora inaequalis, Chilocorus cacti, Psorolyma maxillosa, Coleomegilla innotata, Cycloneda sanguinea, Olla v-nigrum, Procula ferruginea, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Decadiumus pictus, Decadioumus sp., Pentilia discors, Zilus gilvifrons, Z. variipenis, Delphastus nebulosus, and Stethorus caribus; Diomus ochroderus, and D. roseicollis. Preparation of pest prey profiles and immature identifications are under way. Based on this effort a review of ladybeetles of Puerto Rico is in preparation, and also the writing of an educational book for schools and general public. PARTICIPANTS: Alex Segarra (PI) and Fernando Gallardo (Co-PI) Department of Crops and Agroenvironmental Sciences TARGET AUDIENCES: Extension Agents Extension Specialists Citrus Producers Citrus Researchers General Public PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project. IMPACT: 2006/09 TO 2009/08 Results from this research will help demonstrate, to producers in Puerto Rico, the feasibility of using biologically-based and reduced risk pesticides to manage key insect pests of citrus nurseries and of new citrus plantings. In addition, producers can now fully appreciate the importance of natural enemy conservation through the use of reduced risk pesticides. In some cases, the use of our results by producers may allow an easier transition into organic production, and in other cases could lead them to use pest control alternatives that are both safer to the applicator and gentler on the environment. In addition, a survey and assessment of common natural enemies will allow further work to be carried out on the effects of management practices on their populations. Finally, information gathered under this project has advanced our knowledge of the Asian citrus butterfly life cycle and reproduction. PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2006/09 TO 2009/08 1. Segarra-Carmona, A.E., L. E. Flores-Lopez, and L. Morales-Collado. 2008. Ciclo de vida y control de la mariposa asiatica de los citricos, Papilio demoleus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), una nueva plaga invasiva en Puerto Rico. (Life cycle and control of the Asian citrus butterfly, Papilio demoleus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). In Press, Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico. 2. Segarra Carmona, A.E. 2010. The Coccinellidae of Puerto Rico: A review. J. Agric. UPR. In preparation for submission. |
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Outcomes N/A |
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Impacts From report by the PI to USDA CRIS report system Results from this research will help demonstrate, to producers in Puerto Rico, the feasibility of using biologically-based and reduced risk pesticides to manage key insect pests of citrus nurseries and of new citrus plantings. In addition, producers can now fully appreciate the importance of natural enemy conservation through the use of reduced risk pesticides. In some cases, the use of our results by producers may allow an easier transition into organic production, and in other cases could lead them to use pest control alternatives that are both safer to the applicator and gentler on the environment. In addition, a survey and assessment of common natural enemies will allow further work to be carried out on the effects of management practices on their populations. Finally, information gathered under this project has advanced our knowledge of the Asian citrus butterfly life cycle and reproduction. |
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