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Natural Enemies for High Tunnel Production 2012
The document discusses the role of biological control in managing pest populations through the use of natural enemies such as predators and parasitoids, and highlights various studies on their impact on pests like squash bugs and cucumber beetles. It emphasizes the importance of habitat management to support beneficial insects by providing alternative food sources, shelter, and overwintering sites. Additionally, it outlines the pros and cons of using annual and perennial plants to enhance biological control efforts in agricultural settings.
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Natural Enemies for High Tunnel Production 2012
- 2. Pollination Decomposition Biological Control © Jackie / Bugguide.net © wildlife-pictures-online.com © Peter Bryant
- 3. Use of naturalenemies to keep pest populations low Predators Parasitoids Pathogens
- 5. Predators Pests Squash Bug Squash bug lay eggs on plant leaves/stems Stink Bugs Cucumber beetles lay eggs at base of stem and soil near plant Striped Cucumber Beetle Ground Beetles Eggs likely fed upon by generalist predators Do predators provide significant biological Ants Spotted Cucumber Beetle control of pest eggs? Lady Beetles
- 6. Pumpkin Pests –Biological Control of Eggs • Spotted CB and Squash Bug eggs studied Spotted cucumber • Live sterile colony eggs beetle eggs on ground glued to cards – OPEN/CLOSED treatments (4 reps) – In the field for 48 hrs Squash bug eggs attached to plant – July-August leaves
- 7. Pumpkin Pests –Biological Control of Eggs Predators reduced squash bug Squash bug eggs by 10% and spotted eggs eaten by predator cucumber beetle by 80%!!
- 8. Feather-legged Fly Pests (parasitoid of squash bug) Pest adults are attacked Squash Bug by parasitoid flies Tachinidae Do we detect significant parasitism of pests in the field? Celatoria diabroticae and C. setosa Striped Cucumber Beetle (parasitoids of cucumber beetles) Spotted Cucumber Beetle
- 9. Pumpkin Pests –Biological Control of Adults • Assessment of adult parasitism • 2 collections of striped cucumber beetle and squash bug from each site, July – August • Raised for 8 days, then frozen & dissected Celatoria sp larval mouthparts
- 10. Pumpkin Pests –Biological Control of Adults • 10-17% of adult pests were parasitized! • Does not account for number which may have been killed by parasitoids and not captured
- 11. Integrated Pest Management(IPM) is the combined use of tactics to manage a pest (insect, disease, or weed) in an economically and ecological sound manner. Biological control is an Physical Physical Control Control important and sometimes undervalued component of IPM Integrated Cultural Cultural Biological Biological Control Control Pest Control Control Diverse group of arthropods Management contribute to biological control Chemical Chemical This service is provided free Control Control to growers and can be enhanced through habitat management practices.
- 12. Biological Control –Habitat Management How can you modify high tunnel production to provide habitat for natural enemies? What do these beneficial insects need? • Alternative food/prey resources • Shelter/nesting sites In the video we will discuss: Mulching, Tillage Practices, Selective Insecticide Use, Providing Additional Flowering Resources.
- 13. Typical resource-poor environmentsurrounding crop field.
- 14. The addition offlowers can provide resources in and around the crop.
- 15. Natural enemies andpollinators feed on pollen and nectar from flowers Native Bees Predators Parasitoid Flies
- 16. Feeding on pollenand nectar builds up populations, increases longevity and reproductive potential of pollinators and natural enemies Double egg laying and lifespan with access to floral resources (Shahjanan 1968)
- 17. Natural enemies feedon alternative prey within flowering plant habitats
- 18. Flowering plants provideshelter and nesting sites for pollinators Perennial habitats provide overwintering sites both below ground & remaining foliage. Bumble bee nesting site Mason bee nests (native pollinator)
- 19. Flowering plants provideshelter and nesting sites for natural enemies Perennial habitats provide overwintering sites both below ground & remaining foliage. Lady beetles overwinter in the soil Mantid egg mass Orb Weaver egg mass
- 20. Planting Flowering PlantResources Annual plant insectaries Common species used in habitat management include sweet alyssum, coriander, phacelia, dill, and buckwheat. Pros – High pollen and nectar production Resources provided same year as planted Low seed costs Can be planted in rows within main crop Can be re-established next to crop of choice each season Cons- Pay to establish each year Only one type of plant, may not have long bloom period Does not provide overwintering habitat if removed at end of season Plants are not native species
- 21. Planting Flowering PlantResources Planting arrangements for annual plant insectaries Strips within the main crop
- 22. Planting Flowering PlantResources Planting arrangements for annual plant insectaries Phacelia hedgerow next to cabbage crop Weedy plants allowed to persist until crop established Buckwheat cover crop
- 23. Annual Sweet Alyssum(Lobularia maritima)
- 24. Planting Flowering PlantResources Perennial plant insectaries Nearly endless diversity of plant choices. Much research had focused on the use of native perennials to provide habitat for beneficial insects. Pros – High pollen and nectar production Can customize bloom period and species complex Provide overwintering habitat Establish once, benefit for several years If natives are used enhances biodiversity Provides food, nesting for other wildlife such as ground-nesting birds Cons- Seed costs greater than annuals Plants take 2-3 years to fully establish Cannot move planting annually
- 25. May – Year1 Flower plot establishment
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- 32. Top 10 observednatural enemies 2% 1% 1% 1% Ant 4% Long Legged Fly 5% Syrphid Fly 33% Spider 15% Green Lacewing (Egg) Parasitoid wasp Crane Fly Dragon Fly 17% Robber Fly 21% Lightning Bug Total number of insects = 1821
- 33. Planting Flowering Resources Interestedin designing an insect habitat? Website: http://nativeplants.msu.edu What plants are attractive? Bloom phenology Pest attractive? How to plant and maintain
- 34. Next in thissession….. NEW Natural Enemies Video developed by GLVWG: • Identification of key natural enemies • Learn which pests key natural enemies attack • Habitat management to enhance natural enemies on-farm • Receive new ID guide to vegetable natural enemies Presentation by Megan Woltz: • How the farm landscape influences natural enemies and biological control
Editor's Notes
- #27 Mow high – 6”