Biocontrols East Offers Solutions for Spotted Lanternfly, Spotted Wing Drosophila, and Fire Blight
September 17, 2018 Fruit growers face an ever-increasing assault from invasives and other more familiar pests, but there are tools that can help you manage these threats to your crop. Solutions to your most pressing pest problems is a primary focus of the program at the upcoming Biocontrols USA East Conference & Expo, Oct. 11-12 in Rochester, NY. Breakout conference sessions for both tree fruit and small fruit will bring you the latest information and solutions you can put to work in your orchards, vineyards, or fields for managing fire blight, BMSB, spotted wing drosophila, spotted lanternfly, and more. Register today to attend this conference that will make a difference in your crop in the coming season.
Fruit-focused sessions include:
Spotted Lanternfly – A Pest You Need to Know About
Heather Leach, Pennsylvania State University
Spotted lanternfly, a new invasive pest, was recently found in the Finger Lakes in New York. Spotted lanternfly nymphs and adults feeds on sap from over 70 different plants, including grapevines, apple, and peach. In this talk you will learn about how to scout for egg masses and signs of feeding. You will also learn what biological controls are labeled for use against spotted lanternfly and how best to use them.
Evaluating Biocontrols for Managing Fire Blight
Kerik Cox, Cornell University
Fire blight has long been a devastating disorder for apples and pears, particularly in the growing conditions of the Eastern U.S. Most conventional tree fruit growers opt for antibiotics. But, antibiotic resistance is becoming more of an issue, and the products are no longer allowed at all in organic production. In this session, we take a look at the latest research on biological controls for fire blight and discuss how effective they can be in your orchard next season.
Biological control of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in New York State
Peter Jentsch, Cornell University – Hudson Valley Research Laboratory
The invasive brown marmorated stink bug has emerged to be a significant challenge for vegetable and tree fruit growers in the Northeast. Cornell University researchers stationed at the Hudson Valley Research Laboratory are the efficacy of biological controls with various biological target sites reducing the impact of the BMSB in agricultural systems. The use of biopesticides targeted as anti-feedents have low or zero days to harvest and are viable options producers can utilize to reduce late season stink bug feeding on crops. Recent findings of the Samurai Wasp, Trissolcus japonicus, in the mid-Hudson Valley of New York has provided our entomology team the opportunity to study the successful redistribution and expansion of the wasp throughout the vegetable and tree fruit production regions of the state.
Biopesticides and Control of SWD
Philip Fanning, Michigan State University
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) is a significant pest of soft‐skinned fruit in the Eastern U.S. Larvae of SWD develop within the fruit making it unmarketable as fresh berries and increasing the risk of rejection by processors. Work at Michigan State University evaluated selected biopesticides for control of SWD in fall red raspberries. You’ll see trial results in this session highlighting a number of biopesticides with the potential to reduce infestation of Drosophila larvae in raspberries and protect your crop.
Grape Pests and Biocontrol
Chris Becker, Research Scientist, BAAR Scientific LLC
Eastern grapes for juice or wine have to contend with a challenging mix of disease and insect problems each season, from powdery mildew, downy mildew and botrytis to grape berry moth and leafhoppers. Each pest has biopesticides that fit well into commercial programs. This session will provide you with information on the biology of the pests and a useful overview of the mode of action of the available biopesticides that can help you produce a quality crop next season.
How I Integrated Biocontrols on My Family’s Farm (and You Can, Too)
Tom Heeman, Heeman’s Strawberry Farm
Integrating biocontrols and biofungicides for strawberry pest and disease control takes an IPM mindset. Biocontrols can be your first line of defense in Integrated Pest Management against lygus bugs, spider mites, etc. Strawberry grower Tom Heeman will explore the lessons learned in taking a biorational approach and how to introduce these products successfully on your farm.
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