S1049: Integrated Management of Pecan Arthropod Pests in the Southern U.S.

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[02/10/2011] [08/13/2012] [04/23/2013] [02/18/2014] [06/11/2015]

Date of Annual Report: 02/10/2011

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 02/13/2011 - 02/15/2011
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2009 - 09/01/2010

Participants

Hall, Mike, mhall@agctr.lsu.edu - Louisiana;
Mulder, Phil, philmul@okstate.edu - Oklahoma;
Dutcher, Jim, dutcher@tifton.uga.edu - Georgia;
Edelson, Jonathan, Jonathan.edelson@okstate.edu - Oklahoma;
Sanderlin, Randy, RSanderlin@agcenter.lsu.edu - Louisiana;
Cottrell, Ted, ted.cottrell@ars.usda.gov - Georgia;
Shapiro-Ilan, David, david.shapiro@ars.usda.gov - Georgia;
Calixto, Alejandro, acalixto@tamu.edu - Texas;
Ree, Bill, w-ree@tamu.edu - Texas;
Franzen, Aaron, - Oklahoma;

Brief Summary of Minutes

S-1049 Meeting

Spring Hill Suites Marriott, Ardmore, OK

February 13, 2011

Attendees: Mike Hall (LA), Phil Mulder (OK), Jim Dutcher (GA), Jonathan Edelson (OK), Randy Sanderlin - plant pathologist (LA), Ted Cottrell (GA), David Shapiro-Ilan (GA), Alejandro Calixto (TX), Bill Ree (TX) and Aaron Franzen(OK)

Mike Hall served as acting chairman in place of Mark Muegge (TX)

First order of business was the election/appointment of Dr. Alejandro Calixto as the new secretary.

The next order of business was to discuss and meeting site for 2012. One possible meeting location for 2012 will be in Little Rock, Arkansas in conjunction with the combined Southeastern and Southwestern Branches of the Entomological Society of America meeting. A date for this meeting has not been decided. The S-1049 chairman or designee will coordinate with the branch meeting's local arrangement committee for obtaining a meeting room.

Dr. Edelson reported to the group concerning possible reduction of funds but that everything was still up in the air concerning the Hatch funds.

Objective # 1: Improved Management of Arthropod Pests

Dutcher (GA): Pheromone was not available for Prionus root borers in 2010. Put out malaise traps for Prionus root borers study.

Hall (LA): Continued working on a degree day model for pecan phylloxera, Phylloxera devastatrix that would give producers a possible treatment decision window. Past work has shown an approximate 60 day emergence period with peak emergence occurring around April 6-9 and gall formation occurring around mid-April. This information can be used with a bud break model that will be launched soon on http://pecan.ipmpipe.org.

Calixto (TX): A draft of a pecan scab prediction model is close to being ready for posting on the pecan information site, http://pecan.ipmpipe.org. Continued working to improved pecan pest profiles for states and regions. The pecan ipmPIPE system has been improved so producers can direct enter data. Conducted a pecan.ipmPIPE seminar at the national ESA meeting in 2010 where it received a lot of visibility. The pecan ipmPIPE system/program is looking for producer/industry champions from all states for system input for their respective states. New additions to the pecan.ipmpipe web site for producers include a searchable fungicide data base and a library.

Cottrell (GA): Conducted monitoring in pecan orchards for 2 exotic weevils: Fuller-rose beetle and the two banded Japanese weevil. Both are flightless and grubs feed on roots. Continued monitoring pecan orchards for the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys which has already been found in GA.

Ree (TX): Worked with volunteer pecan growers across the state in monitoring and interpreting pecan nut casebearer pheromone trap data. Trap data from volunteer producers are sent to Dr. Marvin Harris for posting on the pecan nut casebearer prediction site on http://pecan.ipmpipe.org.

Shapiro-Ilan (GA): No report

Objective # 2: Improved Control Systems for Pecan Arthropod Pests

Dutcher (GA): Reported that soil applied imidacloprid is not working very well against pecan aphids in GA. Reported that Nexter Miticide/Insecticide (AI - pyridaben; Gowan company) is effective against mites and aphids. Also, he is working with a new material from Dow.

Hall (LA): Working on improved methods (soil drench, trunk injections) of applications of insecticides for homeowners for improved phylloxera control. Soil applied treatment methods did not show much promise in 2010 however, more tests are planned for 2011.

Ree (TX): Insecticide efficacy studies were conducted against pecan nut casebearer, hickory shuckworm and stink bugs. The hickory shuckworm tests were non-productive either due to lack of HSW pressure or the producer applying insecticides too late. Stink bug insecticide efficacy studies were done in collaboration with Hall and Cottrell plus assistance from Dr. Juan Lopez, USDA-ARS Southern Plains Station, College Station, TX where his lab conducted adult vial tests with the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus. An imidacloprid/blackmargined pecan aphid study was conducted with Dr. Lopez to look at resistance/susceptibility to this active ingredient. Preliminary studies show a wide range of susceptibility between an organic orchard and a "trouble orchard". A two year EPA funded project which will start in 2011will continue this investigation.

Sharpiro-Ilan (GA): Continuing to look at nematodes as a control method for pecan weevil. Has observed 81 per cent control in studies. and will be looking at the number of applications needed for economic control. Will be looking at August applications of nematodes with a fungus. Applications of Metarhizium and Bavaria fungus achieved about 75 percent control of weevils. BioWorks has an organic formulation of Beauveria bassiana fungus. Studies have shown that clover under that canopy seems to enhance the efficacy of nematodes and fungi for pecan weevil management.

Cottrell (GA): Conducted insecticide efficacy studies on stink bugs in collaboration with Hall (LA) and Ree (TX). Conducting a host plant resistance study in collaboration with Dr. L.J.Grauke, USDA-ARS Pecan Breeding and Genetics Station, College Station, TX and will be looking at IGR materials for black pecan aphid management.

Objective #3: Integrate Pecan Arthropod Pest Control Methods with Pecan Production Methods

Cottrell (GA): Looking at black pecan aphid biology. A grad student working with BPA observed 50% of the population on the lower surface of the leaf and 50% on the upper surface. This population distribution is thought to be a possible defense or avoidance strategy to escape natural enemies.

Dutcher (GA): Reports that exto-parasites and natural enemies are catching up with the harmonia lady beetle. There is one strain of fungus that affects harmonia and another strain that attacks Olla-v nigrum.

Shapiro-Ilan (GA): In lab studies carbaryl and cypermethrin were synergistic with nematodes while Beauveria bassiana was antagonistic with cypermethrin

.Objective #4: Develop real-time Decision Aids for Delivery on the internet

Discussions centered on the http://pecan.ipmpipe.org. web site. The pecan.ipmpipe web site is a growing platform that is transferring real time pest information to stake holder to the pecan industry. The platform has the ability to receive input from all disciplines - horticulture, plant pathology, weed science and entomology to provide and deliver information across the pecan belt. New additions to the platform will include a bud break model and a scab prediction model.

Bill Ree, Secretary

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 08/13/2012

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/04/2012 - 03/04/2012
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2010 - 09/01/2011

Participants

Johnson, Don -- University of Arkansas;
Cowell, Brian -- University of Arkansas;
Lewis, Barbara -- University of Arkansas;
Harris, Marvin -- Texas A&M University;
Ree, Bill -- Texas A&M university;
Muegge, Mark -- Texas A&M University;
Reed, Bill -- Kansas State University;
Shapiro-Ilan, David -- USDA-ARS, Byron, GA;
Cottrell, Ted -- USDA-ARS, Byron, GA;
Hall, Mike -- Louisiana State University;
Ring, Dennis -- Louisiana State University;
Leonard, Rogers -- Louisiana State University;
Johnson, Tiffany -- New Mexico State Universtiy;
Mizell, Russ -- University of Florida;
Dutcher, Jim -- University of Georgia;
Watson, Clarence -- University of Arkansas

Brief Summary of Minutes

Little Rock, Arkansas

4 March 2012

Mike Hall, Chairman presiding

Business meeting:

Election of new project leaders: David Shapiro-Ilan as the Vice Chair, Secretary: Don Johnson

2013 Meeting Site: Las Cruces, NM in conjunction with Western Pecan Growers Meeting

Comments: Admin. Advisor C. Watson: project update due in 2015; federal agricultural budget predicted to be flat perhaps decreased; consider applying for a 2013 award for best regional project, Dr. Watson will help put it together.

LSU situation from Rogers Leonard who is assistant experiment station director: discussed the plan for consolidation of facilities, one of which is the LSU Pecan Research Center due to budget constraints and imminent domain condemnation for new highway through current location grounds. Within next 7 years the Center is likely to close with faculty moved to other locations and new pecan research resources established. Some commentary on the need for continued investment in the program ensued.

Objective 1: Improved Monitoring and Forecasting Methods for Field Populations of Pecan Arthropods Objective

TAMU: nut casebearer model is now a regional effort through pecan ipmPIPE. Nut casebearer has been shown to break diapause in response to host volatile chemicals at budbreak. Budbreak data (when shoot growth e 5cm) can be used as a start date for Ring emergence model for nut casebearer.

Black-margined pecan aphids: use of water-sensitive cards showed that you can show differences among cultivars (Pawnee (least) vs Cheyenne (worst), others) in a 2 hour bioassay (Honekers M.S. thesis). Results indicate a genetic basis making the bioassay useful for selective breeding evaluations of cultivars.
UGA: Pheromone work with tile-horned prionids is very positive using large panel traps. Adult captures are very high of males- buckets full of several species. Two main species in pecan are bad pests in GA in water stressed-low areas as well as trees with other stresses, ex. crown grow gall.

Five states are going to monitor for brown marmarated stink bugs to determine presence. Ted Cottrell indicated that the Rescue stink bug trap did not allow capture of the other brown species due to heat buildup in the dome part.
LSU: monitoring pecan phylloxera with sticky tape rings but tools looks to labor intensive for grower use.

Objective 2. Improved Control Systems for Pecan Arthropod Pests

USDA-ARS: Pecan weevil control with microbials: Beauvaria is endemic in most of southeast and ground cover enhances persistence and efficacy. Looking at use of composted poultry manure applied with microbials to determine use. This doubled the amount of Beauveria. Also, are looking at development of tools for organic production for key pests such as bacterial products and Iseria.

Bifenthrin has been determined to be best for stink bug control as well as for some other pests such as aphids and weevils. Residual lasts at least 10 days. Danitol is effective against brown stink bugs. Lorsban is not good against brown stink bugs. A comment on dimilin use indicated that black pecan aphids are increased significantly by its use, reasons unknown.
TAMU: aphid insecticide tests were conducted with black margin aphid. A handout was provided on results with imidicloprid use. It worked well in some orchards but not others. There are about 20 of these neonic products available to producers. Need recommendations for their use in pecan. Data indicates that overuse develops resistant aphid strains relatively rapidly.
NMSU: working on black margined aphid nutrition, population dynamics and genetics.

Objective 3. Integrate Pecan Arthropod Pest Control Methods with Pecan Production Methods

TAMU: In Mexico it has been observed that nut casebearer infestations in late season may reach 60%.
USDA-ARS: plant growth regulator work testing concentrations indicated very little if any side effects.

Objective 4. Develop real-time Decision Aids for Delivery on the Internet

TAMU: ipmPIPE project. It is an extension website for technology transfer. However, underneath the extension portions are a number of databases that may be used for research in the form of informatics, etc., most of the pecan literature is being one. Also, the site is being used for teaching in IPM courses. It also has search engines for insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides with a label, MSDS form, etc. There is a resistance management discussion section for these tools and a budget tool for producer economic considerations in pecan production. Interactive tools have been (casebearer) or are being developed for use in the future by producers to enter realtime data for decision making as well as archival for future research purposes. By USDA NAS statistics there are ~20,000 U.S. pecan growers. The site is visited by about 10% of the growers. Future funding and ownership: funds have been applied for through the SCRI CAPS proposal for maintenance of the site over the next 5 years. Other funds are needed to continue new additions to the site. Other ipmPIPE sites do have chemical company logos that are paid for by commercial providers. Another idea was selling prescriptions to the site or placing a donate button on the site whereby anyone can contribute.

Accomplishments

Publications

Project Related Publications 2010-2011: Note on publications: There are two major publications specifically targeted to pecan growers, Pecan South (published monthly) and Georgia, The Pecan Grower Magazine (published quarterly). In each of these issues at least two to five members of the regional project provide timely articles on pecan production including pest management issues. Barbour, J. D., J. G. Millar, J. Rodstein, A. M. Ray, D. G. Alston, M. Rejzek, J. D. Dutcher and L. M. Hanks. 2011. Synthetic 3,5-Dimethyldodecanoic Acid serves as a general attractant for multiple species of Prionus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 104(3): 588-593 (2011: DOI: 10.1603/AN10182. Behle, R. W., D. L. Compton, J. A. Kenar, and D. I. Shapiro-Ilan. 2011. Improving formulations for biopesticides: enhanced UV protection for beneficial microbes. J. ASTM Int. Vol. 8, No. 1. doi:10.1520/Jai102793. Birt, A.G, A. Calixto, M. Tchakerian, A. Dean, R. N.Coulson, and M. K. Harris. 2011(in press). Harnessing Information Technology for Production Agriculture. Journal of Integrated Pest Management Issues Section. Birt, A., A. Deep, R. N. Coulson, A. Calixto and M. Harris. 2010. Harnessing Information Technology (IT) for Use in Production Agriculture of Pecans Illustrated by a Case History of the Pecan Nut Casebearer Decision Window on the Pecan ipmPIPE Interactive Database Platform. Proceedings (Ed. Richard Hereema, Ext Pl. Sci. Dept. New Mexico State Univ.) of 6th Annual Meeting of Pecan Scientists, Noble Foundation, Ardmore, OK. pp 16-25. Bock, C., D. I. Shapiro-Ilan, T. Cottrell, M. Hotchkiss, and B. W. Wood. 2012. Options for pest and disease control in organic pecan. The Pecan Grower 23:32-46. Calixto, A., A. Birt, N. Lee, A. Dean, B. Ree, and M. Harris. 2011. Pecan ipmPIPE: Harnessing the Internet for Stakeholders in Production Agriculture. J. of Integ. Pest Mgt. pp. F1-F6(6) Calixto, A. and M. Harris in conjunction with CO-PI¼s* (listed below) also participating in the program. 2010. A Pecan ipmPIPE (Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education) Users Guide and report on http://pecan.ipmpipe.org/ for SEPGA. Proceedings (Ed. Katherine Stevenson) 103rd Ann. Conv. Southeast. Pecan Grow. Assoc., Sandestin, FL. pp 79-86. Cottrell, T. E. and D.L. Horton. 2011. Trap capture of brown and dusky stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) as affected by pheromone dosage in dispensers and dispenser source. J. Entomol. Sci. 46: 135-147. Cottrell, T. E., B. W. Wood and X. Ni. 2010. Application of plant growth regulators mitigates chlorotic foliar injury by the black pecan aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Pest Manag. Sci. 66: 1236-1242. Cottrell, T.E. and E.W. Riddick. 2012. Limited transmission of the ectoparasitic fungus Hesperomyces virescens between lady beetles. Psyche vol. 2012, article ID 814378, 7 pp. Dutcher, J. D., M. L. Wells, T. B. Brenneman, and M. G. Patterson. 2010. Integration of insect and mite, disease, and weed management to improve pecan production. In A. Cianco & K. G. Mukerji (eds.) Integrated Management of Arthropod Pests and Insect Borne Diseases (Integrated Management of Plant Pests and Diseases vol. 5) Springer Publishers. Dordrecht. ISBN-10: 9048124638 Fu-Castillo, A. A., M. K. Harris, and I. Vargas-Arispuro. 2010. Activation of hibernating Acrobasis nuxvorella Neunzig Larvae as an Effect of Carya illinoinensis (Wang.) K. Koch Budbreak. Southwest. Entomol. 35(4): 551-6. Hall, M. J. and K.S. Jackson. 2011. Control of hickory shuckworm in a commercial pecan orchard with selected insecticides, 2010. Arthropod Management Tests. doi: 10.4182/amt.2011.D19. Hall, M. J. and K. S. Jackson. 2011. Two trials for control of hickory shuckworm in a commercial pecan orchard, 2010. Arthropod Management Tests. doi: 10.4182/amt2011.D20. Hall, M. J. and K. S. Jackson. 2011. Hickory shuckworm: biology and control. Proceedings, Annual Meeting of the Western Pecan Growers Association. Vol. 45: 13-19. Harris, M. K., A. I. Cognato and K. L. Hunt. 2010. DNA identification confirms pecan weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) infestation of Carpathian walnut. J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 1312-1314. Hartfield, E. A., M. K. Harris and R. F. Medina. 2010. Searching for pheromone strains in the pecan nut casebearer. Entomol Expt et Appl. 137: 11-18. Hudson, W. G., D. I. Shapiro-Ilan, W. A. Gardner, T. E. Cottrell and B. Behle. 2010. Biological control of pecan weevils in the Southeast: A sustainable approach. SARE Fact Sheet Publication. Karar, H., M. G. Abbas and J. D. Dutcher. 2012. Pecan cultivar differences in aphid reproduction and abundance. Research Note. J. Entomol. Sci. 47: 1-6. Kim, K.S., Z. Szendrei, C. Rodriquez-Saona, P.G. Mulder, and T.W. Sappington. 2009. Molecular diagnostic for boll weevil (Coleoptera:Curculionidae) based on amplification of three species-specific microsatellites. J. Econ. Entomol. 102: 759-766. Knutson, A. E. and M. A. Muegge.2010. A degree-day model initiated by pheromone trap captures for managing pecan nut casebearer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in pecans. J. Econ. Entomol. 103:735-743. Mbata, G. N. and D. I. Shapiro-Ilan. 2010. Compatibility of Heterorhabditis indica (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) and Hebrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) for biological control of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Biol. Control 54:75-82. Mulder, P. G., M. K. Harris, and R. A. Grantham. 2012. Biology and management of the pecan weevil, Coleoptera: Curculionidae. J. Integ. Pest Mgmt. 3(1): available at: http://dx.doI.org/10.1603/IPM10027. Puckett, R. T. and M. K. Harris. 2010. Phorid Flies, Pseudacteon spp. (Diptera: Phoridae), Affect Forager Size Ratios of Red Imported Fire Ants Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Texas. Environ. Entomol. 39: 1593-1600. Riddick, E. W. and T. E. Cottrell. 2010. Is the prevalence and intensity of the ectoparasitid fungus Hesperomyces virescens related to the abundance of entomophagous coccinellids? Bull. Insectology 63:71-78. Seuhs, S. K., P. G. Mulder and J. P. Keys. 2009. Participant perceptions of the Oklahoma State University pecan management course and e-Learning approach. Amer. Entomol. Education Connection: 55 (2): 70-74. Shapiro-Ilan, D. I. 2010. Improved biological control of pecan weevil through pre-emergence applications. The Pecan Grower Magazine. 21 (3):18-20. Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., D. J. Bruck and L. A. Lacey. 2012. Principles of Epizootiology and Microbial Control. Pp 29-72, In: F. Vega and H. K. Kaya (Eds.) Insect Pathology (2nd Edition), Elsevier, San Diego. Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., T. E. Cottrell and W. A. Gardner. 2010. Microbial Control of the Pecan Weevil. Proceedings of the 6th National Meeting of Pecan Scientists, Ardmore, Oklahoma, May 26-29, 2010, Pp. 26-35. Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., T. E. Cottrell and B. W. Wood. 2011. Effects of combining microbial and chemical insecticides on mortality of the pecan weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The Pecan Grower Magazine 22 (4):14-22. Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., T. E. Cottrell and B. W. Wood. 2011. Effects of combining microbial and chemical insecticides on mortality of the pecan weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 104:14-20. Shapiro-Ilan, D. I. and W. A. Gardner. 2012. Improved Control of Curculio caryae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) through multi-stage pre-emergence applications of Steinernema carpocapsae. J. Entomol. Sci. In Press. Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., W. A. Gardner, L. Wells and B. A. Wood. 2012. Cumulative impact of a clover cover crop on the persistence and efficacy of Beauveria bassiana in suppressing the pecan weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Environ. Entomol. In Press. Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., G. N. Mbata and W. Hudson. 2010. Compatibility of beneficial nematodes and parasitic wasps for control of Indianmeal moth, a pest of stored pecans. The Pecan Grower Magazine 22 (2):10-17. Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., G. N., Mbata, K. B. Nguyen, S. M. Peat, D. Blackburn and B. J. Adams. 2009. Characterization of biocontrol traits in the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis georgiana (Kesha strain), and phylogenetic analysis of the nematode's symbiotic bacteria. Biol. Control 51:377-387. Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., C. C. Reilly and M. W. Hotchkiss. 2011. Comparative impact of artificial selection for fungicide resistance on Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum. Environ. Entomol. 40:59-65. Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., C. C. Reilly and M. W. Hotchkiss. 2011.Making beneficial fungi resistant to fungicides. The Pecan Grower Magazine. 23 (2):16-23. Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., T. E. Cottrell and B. W. Wood. 2011. Effects of combining microbial and chemical insecticides on mortality of the pecan weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 104: 14-20. Shufran, A. A., P. G. Mulder, M. Payton, and K. A. Shufran. 2012. Determining host-suitability of pecan for insects. J. Econ. Entomol. submitted. Shufran, A. A., P. G. Mulder, W. Ree and K. A. Shufran. 2012. Assessing insects at pecan storage facilities in Oklahoma and Texas. Environ. Entomol. Submitted. Smith, M.W. and P.G. Mulder. 2009. Oviposition characteristics of pecan weevil, Curculio caryae. Southwestern Entomologist 34: 447-455. Tillman, P. G., J. R. Aldrich, A. Khrimian and T. Cottrell. 2010. Pheromone attraction and cross-attraction of Nezara, Acrosternum, and Euschistus spp. stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in the field. Environ. Entomol. 39:610-617. Yu, H., D. H. Gouge and D. I. Shapiro-Ilan. 2010. A novel strain of Steinernema riobrave (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) possesses superior virulence to subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). J. Nematol. 42:91-95.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 04/23/2013

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/03/2013 - 03/03/2013
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2011 - 09/01/2012

Participants

Bill Ree (TAMU, Chair) -- w-ree@tamu.edu;
Donn Johnson (UA, Secretary) -- dtjohnso@uark.edu;
Jim Dutcher (UGA) -- dutch88@uga.edu;
Mike Hall (LSU) -- MHall@agcenter.lsu.edu;
Marvin Harris (TAMU) -- m-harris@tamu.edu;
Tiffany Johnson (NMSU) -- shimsham@nmsu.edu;
Allen Knutson (TAMU) -- a-knutson@tamu.edu;
Phil Mulder (OSU) -- phil.mulder@okstate.edu;
Mark Muegge (TAMU) -- mmuegge@ag.tamu.edu;
Bill Reid (KSU) -- wreid@ksu.edu;
Larry Blackwell (NMSU) -- larry@nmsu.edu;
Clarence Watson (UA, Administrative Advisor) -- cwatson1@uark.edu;

Brief Summary of Minutes

S-1049 - Integrated Management of Pecan Arthropod Pests in the Southern U.S. Meeting

Las Cruces, NM

3 March 2013

Opening Comments: Charlie Graham will take over Mike Halls position on the pecan meeting and will be the sole pecan researcher in LA.

Selection of 2014 Meeting Site: Charles Rohla gave us two dates for our 2014 meeting at the Noble Foundation in Ardmore, OK. In April, the membership was canvassed and it was agreed that the S-1094 Pecan meeting will occur from 17 to 19 February 2014. It was proposed that we arrive on Monday February 17th, (late afternoon or evening), hold the meeting on Tuesday February 18th, and then have a tour of the facility or nearby orchards for a ½ day on Wednesday February 19th prior to departure.

Election of new project leaders: David Shapiro-Ilan as the Chair; Donn Johnson as the Vice Chair, and Russ Mizell elected as the Secretary

Mike Hall showed photo of pecan meeting from the 1970s said he could distribute photo to those who want it

Administrative Advisor Comments: Clarence Watson: Project update due in 30 September 2015. Government sequester that happened March 1 will affect formula funds and see 5 to 8% cut. No idea about effects on grant funds. Need re-write committee set up next spring. Donn will email a reminder for members to submit to him recent publications to attach to the meeting minutes.

Discussion of Accomplishments by Objective:

Objective 1: Improved Monitoring and Forecasting Methods for Field Populations of Pecan Arthropods

Bill Reid (KSU) working on pecan nut casebearer in managed native pecan grove. Been able to relate # flowers and # of clusters to yield: guidelines after flower drop, count # nuts per clusters and if > 2.9 nuts per cluster you do not need to treat; if < 2.4 nuts per cluster you need to treat; the in between then go look at unmanaged native pecans or hickories outside grove. Discussion, growers do not want to check traps or count nuts per cluster.

Tiffany Johnson (NM) surveys for PNC but not much flight since -9p F freeze of Feb 2010.

Marvin Harris (TAMU): PNC in hibernaculum need green tissue volatiles to initiate development of larvae. Brad went to a Mexican blend lure for PNC which catches both strains of PNC. Blackmargined aphid - water sensitive cards correlated aphid density with honeydew density on cards. Honey dew index is a reliable measure of susceptibility to blackmargined aphid (Honaker paper). Use a honeydew index to note trees with most susceptibility to aphid. USDA will use this index to characterize susceptibility of blackmargined aphid. Pawnee is most efficient in attracting natural enemies of aphids to honeydew. Honeydew cards give an estimate of honeydew per acre and can estimate how much aphid removes from plant as kg sugar/ha Cheyenne cultivar has enough sugar removed to warrant treatment. Pawnee did not have enough sugar removed to justify treatment but infestations occur later than other cultivars. Kiowa is intermediate. Intrinsic rate of aphid increase is less on Pawnee than on Cheyenne.

Jim Dutcher (UGA) sampling work with aphids use shoot count for aphids and use sticky boards and malaise traps for natural enemies (lady beetles). Five shoots/tree sampling could detect fast increase in aphid outbreaks in late August to October. Blackmargined aphid only exceeded threshold in 5 of 7 yrs in late August to October and yellow aphid only exceeded threshold in 3 of 7 yrs. Use Intrepid against PNC and did not get aphid outbreaks. Obscure scale can kill the stems. This scale has been in outbreak in some groves but has 1 generation per yr sampling scale by sampling new shoots and old shoots. Prionus borer sampling looked at concentration of pheromone from 1 vs 3 lures/trap (1 µl to 3 µl pheromone) noting 1 µl lure captured most adults. Peak capture up to 140 beetles per trap. Have two species. Possible tactic would be to mass trap them out of area. Water stress is important see more borers in trees with crown gall or water stress. Have a native ambrosia beetle that attacks water stressed trees. Took video of Prionus oviposition at base of tree by roots.

Mike Hall (LSU) trying to get growers to use PNC traps.

Bill Ree (TAMU) looking from leaf burst to leaf expansion with timing of insecticide against phylloxera crawlers. Does this sampling work on different cultivars? Need some regional validation. Emergence and bud development in southern Arkansas and northern LA were similar. Looking at degree day model. Thinking about a JIPM article on phylloxera.

Donn Johnson (UA) discussed stink bugs thermal foggers formulated permethrin for foggers Golden Eagle to sample trees wait ½ hr and use leaf sucker to suck up stink bugs off ground cloth. Need a progressive history of a cohort of nuts caged at different times of season and use life table to assess effects of SB. Do some molecular studies to determine damage from stink bug species that punctured nuts. Then relate it back to species that caused it.
Phil Mulder (OSU) still does PNC sampling. He has a tenured faculty position being filled that will be responsible for pecan and serve as pesticide coordinator.

Objective 2: Improved Control Systems for Pecan Arthropod Pests

Tiffany Johnson (NMSU) did some efficacy for blackmargined aphid. Imidacloprid resistance study is looking at acetylcholine receptors.

Jim Dutcher (UGA) A mite similar to (no ID yet) southern red mite in Albany, GA - Nextor, Portal, Acramite - all worked well, where Acramite conserved predatory mites. In July 2003, had control with release of 1000 predatory mites, T. occidentalis, in middle tree of orchard and spread to other trees best to use the shaker release and to date no mites in that orchard. Zeal miticide killed spider mites for 4 weeks. Some concern with blackmargined aphid control. Growers using Fulfill or Beleaf that affect feeding of aphids. Closure worked well for 2 years and then third year efficacy dropped off. Higher rates of insecticides may cause resurgence because aphids increase faster than lower rates.

Mark Muegge (TAMU) aphid resistance study imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam none were effective; Belief and Fulfill were effective against aphids. PNC mating disruption put out prior to 1st flight that shut down trap catch but not egg laying and nut entry. Discussed Mating Disruption dissemination method paint gun globs vs. flowable microencapsulated.

Bill Ree (TAMU) imidacloprid (group 4A) and Belay (group 4A) worked well where not used much in past. Many formulations of imidacloprid so price is cheap many for $2.5/spray/acre. Look at alternatives to imidacloprid for rotating modes of action. Closer (Group 4C) and Beleaf both worked well. Recommendations for imidacloprid

Mike Hall (LSU) phylloxera sprays from 4 to 1 spray by spraying at leaf burst. Recommendation spray phylloxera at leaf burst. Rotate imidacloprid, with Fulfill, lorsban. Check water pH to be sure it is neutral to improve efficacy. Excess Imidacloprid use was often followed by leaf drop due to scorch mite.

Objective 3: Integrate Pecan Arthropod Pest Control Methods with Pecan Production Methods

See Objective 1 comments by Bill Reed.

Marvin Harris (TAMU) - Discussion on mixture sprays for insurance what is the harm? Cause resurgence and secondary pests and resistance development.

Objective 4:> Develop real-time Decision Aids for Delivery on the Internet

Bill Reed (KSU) northern pecan blog add pictures with short descriptions, update twice a week, growers feed information to blog, lot of hits to blog (8,000 hits/month, cost $2/month).

Jim Dutcher (UGA) information on Bugwood.

Bill Ree (TAMU) use email transfer of information

Mike Hall (LSU) use email transfer of information

Discussion on need for plant pathologist in fruit and nuts

Phil Mulder (OSU) submit to electronic newsletter to agents called Pest e-Alerts; OK Pecan Grower Newsletter.

Marvin Harris (TAMU) PecanipmPIPE.org program static information has limits as a base tool; tie information online with blogs. First funded in 2008. To date, four definitive publications have been written on genesis of ipmPIPE. Facilitate communication of information between pecan stakeholders. Expected to be a dynamic program. Website is the public window. It has one IT design person and another IT person who develops interactive pages like PNC risk model that gets cooperator data input and IT person uploads it to the risk map. Some problems occurred with misidentification of budmoth as PNC which comes out earlier than PNC. No money in 2013 for PNC traps and lures. Growers need to buy their own trap supplies. PNC forecast model needs new security installed before 2013 so grower data can be submitted for processing ($5,400 from TAMU Entomology department). You can still enter your own PNC forecast data. Risk to the program is the University fear of Internet security concerns due to online banking, etc. Thinking it may move from .org to another server. Mark Muegge (TAMU) is in charge of administering ipmPIPE and dollars for future maintenance. Who pays to keep ipmPIPE risk free from hackers? Allen Knutson (TAMU) ipmPIPE should be moved to an extension website and they can deal with the security issues. Mark Muegge (TAMU) asks what to do with ipmPIPE in 2013. Mike Hall (LSU) says lets the TAMU administration deal with this problem. Phil Mulder (OSU) asked if ipmPIPE was to be stakeholder supported (subscription) to maintain pecan stakeholder property. We need to make them an active part of taking over the ipmPIPE.org program.

Marvin Harris (TAMU) need some real-time weather for the pecan scab. Noted that the further you are from a weather station and difference in elevation the worse the prediction. We can enter phenological data on date of leaf burst (ipmPIPE has pictures) for a particular cultivar on the website. Need to have conformity in phenology terminology: outer scale split, inner scale split, leaf burst, leaf expansion. Update by experts the ipmPIPE search engine information for each pesticide group and the library information. From 2003 to 2011, questionnaires to pecan growers have become more likely to use scientific articles via in ipmPIPE. Copyright issues are honored on scientific articles. Mentioned 2012 publication titled: Producers adoption of ipmPIPE program &. - noted 3200 return users in 2012 compared to lesser numbers in earlier years. There was a direct relationship between location of users and pecan grower locations and impact data for the growers benefit $1M per yr and another $1M benefitting growers in another state. There has been request by stakeholders to broaden the leadership in ipmPIPE.

Bill Ree (TAMU) for the insecticide search engine, he asks that we go through list of updated labels for pecan.

Updates on SCRI Grant Proposal

Old Business - none

New Business

Motions:

1) Marvin Harris (TAMU) requested motion so Phil Mulder (OSU) moved and Bill Ree seconded and motion approved to: broaden leadership of S-1049 Integrated Management of Pecan Arthropod Pests in the Southern U.S. from only entomology to 5 disciplines (weed science, entomology, horticulture, plant pathology, agriculture economics) with one producer from each nut producing region.

2) Marvin Harris (TAMU) discussed and group approved in principle: he wants to compose a letter to communicate with pecan grower associations the value/benefits of the Pecan ipmPIPE and each state pecan researcher/extension group could tailor a complementary letter to request support from state pecan grower organizations adding an option to annual dues to donate to supporting Pecan ipmPIPE. This would indicate grower interest in the Pecan ipmPIPE program supported by pecan research and extension programs.

3) Marvin Harris (TAMU) requested motion

Adjourn 6:00 pm

Accomplishments

Publications

Abbas, G., Karar, H., and J. D. Dutcher. 2013. Efficacy of multicolored Asian ladybeetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) as a control for aphids in pecan orchards. Research Note. J. Entomol. Sci. 48(1): 70-74. Dutcher, J. D. 2012. Seasonal abundance of aphids and aphidophagous insects in pecan. Insects 3: 1257-1270. Dutcher, J. D. 2012. Summary of research supported by the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Pecans 2011-2012. Pecan Grower Magazine Summer Issue. Georgia Pecan Growers Association 24(1): 7. Dutcher, J. D. 2012. Efficacy of pecan leaf scorch mite controls. Pecan Grower Magazine Summer Issue. Georgia Pecan Growers Association. 24(1): 9-11. Karar, H., M. G. Abbas, and J. D. Dutcher. 2012. Pecan cultivar differences in aphid reproduction and abundance. Research Note. J. Entomol. Sci. 47(4): 1-6. Knutson, A.E., and M.A., Muegge. 2010. A degree-day model initiated by pheromone trap captures for managing pecan nut casebearer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in pecans. J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 735-743. Muegge, M.A., and A.E. Knutson. 2012. Mating disruption of pecan nut casebearer, Acrobasis nuxvorella Neuzig, in pecans. SW Entomol. 37:315-324. Mulder, P.G., M.K. Harris, and R.A. Grantham. 2012. Biology and management of the pecan weevil, Coleoptera: Curculionidae. J. Integ. Pest Mngmt. 3(1): available at: http://dx.doI.org/10.1603/IPM10027. Paulsen, C.M., T.E. Cottrell, and J.R. Ruberson. 2012. Distribution of the black pecan aphid, Melanocallis caryaefoliae, on the upper and lower surface of pecan foliage. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 146:252-260. Shufran, A.A., P.G. Mulder, M. Payton, and K.A. Shufran. 2013. Determining host-suitability of pecan for insects. J. Econ. Entomol. 2013. In Press. Shufran, A.A., P.G. Mulder, W. Ree and K.A. Shufran. 2013. Assessing insects at pecan storage facilities in Oklahoma and Texas. Southwestern Entomol. Submitted.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 02/18/2014

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 02/17/2014 - 02/19/2014
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2013 - 09/01/2014

Participants

Meeting participants present;

? Clarence Watson (UA, Administrative advisor), cwatson1@uark.edu;
? Bill Ree (TAMU, Chair), w-ree@tamu.edu;
? Donn Johnson (UA, Secretary), dtjohnso@uark.edu;
? Jim Dutcher (UGA), dutch88@uga.edu;
? Marvin Harris (TAMU), m-harris@tamu.edu;
? Tiffany Johnson (NMSU), shimsham@nmsu.edu;
? Mark Muegge (TAMU), mmuegge@ag.tamu.edu;
? Bill Reid (KSU), wreid@ksu.edu;
? Larry Blackwell (NMSU), larry@nmsu.edu;
? Rogers Leonard (LSU), rleonard@agcenter.lsu.edu;
? Charles Rohle (Noble Foundation), ctrohla@noble.org;
? Charles Graham, (LSU), cjgraham@agcenter.lsu.edu;

Brief Summary of Minutes

Preliminary comments: Website for the project is in a renovation stage but report related information can be added if it was not previously reported.

Site for 2015 meeting: an offer to host the meeting was proffered by David Shapiro-Ilan to hold the project at Byron, GA. The offer was accepted and approved by unanimous vote of the members.

New secretary for 2015-2016: Jackie Lee from Oklahoma State University.

Administrative Advisor Comments: Thanks were expressed to the Noble Foundation for its hospitality relative to the 2014 meeting. New project will be required in September 2015 so it was recommended that a committee to write up a new project for submission be established. A committee was formed chaired by Donn Johnson that included Tiffany Johnson, Brad Lewis, Jackie Lee and David Shapiro-Ilan. The Farm Bill was passed and the Specialty Crops, Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, and the Organic programs were reauthorized. Dr. Watson commented on the reduction in FTEs on pecan and the potential of a more regional approach to pecan research and Extension. He introduced Dr. Rogers Leonard from LSU to discuss this issue from the LSU perspective given that they have experienced a large reduction in staff at their dedicated pecan research center near Shreveport, LA. Dr. Leonard explained what the situation was in LA, as well as a suggestion that cooperative programs would be of interest given that grower interest in pecan production and pecan acreage is increasing. They will not be replacing retired positions. Dr. Watson indicated that some new federal special grant opportunities might be forthcoming which might offer a means to fund this type of regional research. Two USDA regions are represented and with KS and MO added there are actually three regions. A discussion ensued about the potential of different vehicles for increasing multidisciplinary and multistate research and Extension efforts at a more formal level such as a SERA project. The need for members of other disciplines to work together was discussed as well as what barriers might be in place that would hinder their participation. A number of previous disciple-inclusive meetings of pecan scientists have been convened in the past that were successful and they might serve as a model for developing new opportunities.

Meeting Location 2015: USDA-ARS, Byron, GA.

Accomplishments

Objective 1: Improved Monitoring and Forecasting Methods for Field Populations of Pecan Arthropods: Brian Cowell provided a brief report on stink bug monitoring in AR using various sampling methods. Brown stink bug was the most numerous, and all were in higher populations in early (June-July) than late season. Damage was 100% in water and dough stage and 50% in later stage nuts using a cage study. UV light traps used in the orchards indicated that light traps are not very efficient for capturing the major stink bugs in pecan and that green stink bugs are not contributing to damage to pecan. NM is using nut casebearer and hickory shuckworm traps to promote monitoring of these insects by growers. LA is working with growers to increase nut casebearer trap use and reporting of data collection to ipmpipe. GA is sampling obscure scale by removing sample limbs and counting stages in the lab. Crawlers occur in south GA about June 15. Serious damage has been observed and once orchard is infested it is hard to suppress. GA has also tried a Johnson vacuum suction trap for pecan aphids and other arthropods mounted in the canopy at about 18 feet. Prionus beetle pheromone is being used to try to trap out males. KS is working with nut casebearer using nut counts and found that 8% cluster damage was accrued and no sprays were applied. TX is using nut casebearer traps and reporting data to ipmpipe as well as county agents. Susceptibility of blackmargined aphid has been shown to be genetically based and this has led to this information being incorporated into pecan breeding programs. Objective 2: Improved Control Systems for Pecan Arthropod Pests: NM Movento, Requiem and Belief were tested against blackmargined aphids. Belief was the best single insecticide treatment. A surfactant was needed with these single compounds but not if Movento and Belief were used together. TX has been emphasizing rotation of neonic insecticides for aphids. Closer is very effective and better that Belief which was also effective. Differential treatment of aphids relative to cultivar susceptibility e.g., Pawnee (lower) vs Cheyenne is being emphasized as well. A number of sesquiterpenes (pecan chemical constituents) are being tested to induce nut casebearers to emerge prior to the availability of food in a suicidal manner. In GA, Mite control with insecticides was still demonstrated up to 28 days with Envidor and older acaricides. Acramite provided only moderate control. Intrepid + Tactic worked effectively for hickory shuckworm with one or two applications (better) whereas Intrepid alone was less effective. Assail provided good control of obscure scale the last week in June when targeted to crawlers. Movento + a surfactant was also effective. In LA, Exirel (HDW86) was tested and found as effective as Intrepid for nut casebearer. Objective 3: Integrate Pecan Arthropod Pest Control Methods with Pecan Production Methods: TX - Tawny ant found in state 2002 and now in 27 counties as mostly an urban pest. It disrupts electrical boxes and other such venues. Now has been seen as pest in pecan orchards near Houston, TX. Doing trunk sprays with Delegate, Spinosad, Lorsban Advance and Cobalt Advance. Cobalt was best followed by Lorsban. In 14 days, they were back to pretreat numbers. Then ran test with Warrior and Cobalt for 4 weeks using floor applications and trunk sprays. Trunk sprays lasted for four weeks but not the floor sprays. The ants get in electrical equipment, affect beneficials, and laborers. A bait preference study showed that neither pecan kernals nor oil was attractive, but pecan hulls can be used for nesting. They repel fireants from an area. New NIFA Organic Transition Grant Funded as group project: The objectives were discussed. Objective 4: Develop real-time Decision Aids for Delivery on the Internet: KS Now has a pecan blog that has about 10,000 hits per month. Operated by Google is called BlogSpot and it is at no charge. WordPress is another platform for free blogging. A discussion was conducted on the prevailing IT policies that are responding to security needs but limit the functionality of web sites.

Publications

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 06/11/2015

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 02/10/2015 - 02/15/2015
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2014 - 09/01/2015