Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Twenty-seven individuals participated in the 2007 meeting representing 13 different institutions. The agenda was divided into two major categories of discussion topics: population biology and semiochemicals, both in the context of orchard IPM and production systems. Biological control was discussed as part of the population biology. The meeting agenda limited time for PowerPoint reports of research results. The focus was instead organized around a list of discussion topics. The intent of the meeting format was to bring out discussions of common questions and problems, approaches to researchable issues, and new problems that offer new opportunities for research. This list of topics was a summation of solicited suggestions from WERA-043 members. The following summary is organized by agenda topic and captures the essence of discussions that occurred.

REPORTING OF MEETING CONTENT POPULATION BIOLOGY

DISPERSAL - LOCAL OR LONG DISTANCE

The discussion focused on methods of measuring dispersal of insects within and between habitats. Vince Jones shared about the method developed using protein markers to assess movements of wild populations between different orchard and extra-orchard habitats. The distances moved by certain insects, for example codling moth adults, was greater than suggested from other measures. Problems in measuring the result of movement of the mobile stage of an insect, usually the adult, were discussed as well as barriers or difficulties to interpreting these kinds of data. Many studies on dispersal or movement rely or have relied upon release and recapture of laboratory-reared insects, especially moths. The fitness and behavioral response of laboratory-reared moths has been the subject of studies in Canada for many years where the release of sterile codling moths as a control or eradication means has been ongoing. The Canadian sterile codling moths have been shown to be attractive to pheromone sources, but their ability to fly long distances relative to wild types is limited.

RESISTANCE

The introduction of several new insecticides with different modes of action has raised numerous questions about the possibility of pests developing resistance to them and how to best delay this eventual fate. There was some discussion about cross-resistance between old chemistries, primarily the organophosphate insecticides and new chemistries. There exist examples of pre-existing cross-resistance to new chemistries, which have limited their utility as pest control products. There is some evidence, though not yet validated in the laboratory, of resistance in codling moth to neonicotinyl insecticides. There was one report based on preliminary data of possible negatively correlated cross-resistance of codling moth to an insect growth regulator. Surveys of leafroller populations in Washington State indicate that many populations have developed significant resistance to spinosad, a chemistry that has only been registered for use for eight years. In most cases the level of spinosad resistance was low, 2- to 3-fold, and field failures had not been widely reported; however, diminished levels of control have been reported. An area for cooperative research discussed was the use of molecular methods to help characterize resistance before it becomes well established in orchards. Baseline data on susceptibility of many of the new insecticides for codling moth and leafrollers have been developed and will be useful in future assessments of resistance in the field. Concerns about stewardship of new chemical controls led to a discussion on how best to educate growers on use patterns of available chemical tools. Some cooperative projects on education will likely arise from these discussions. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

There was some very good discussion about the value of biological control in commercial orchards and how much time should be devoted to this kind of activity. It was acknowledged that the amount of biological control of key pests operating in orchards is likely low, 10-20%, but even this could contribute significantly to overall population reductions that could make soft control programs sustainable. The hope of conserving biological control agents in orchards through use of newly registered and "selective" insecticides has been diminished with recent studies showing significant sublethal effects from many of these products. More research in these areas is much needed but obtaining funding to conduct it was very doubtful. Some discussion about trying to incorporate testing for sublethal effects of new chemistries into the regulatory apparatus occurred. In addition, several of the new insecticides registered as replacements for organophosphate insecticides have been shown to disrupt existing stable biological control systems, especially biological control of spider mites. Attempts to enhance biological control of selected key pests through extra-orchard habitat manipulation shows promise, but the management of the extra-orchard habitats requires additional studies on how to make them sustainable systems. The good news is that growers have shown an interest in establishing extra-orchard habitats and managing them, suggesting that this area of research should be continued and build upon the successes that have been made. PHENOLOGY

Phenology models have been a mainstay of tree fruit IPM for many years. Some new models have been developed for new pests, for example for Lacanobia subjuncta, while older models for leafrollers have been revised and improved. A new model for codling moth was discussed, and a paper documenting its development was distributed and reviews requested from the group. A new web-based information delivery system, the Washington State University Decision Aids System (WSU-DAS), was discussed. This system uses real time weather data from a distributed system to automatically update insect and disease models. It then provides output in the form of model predictions and future events, which are tied to management guidelines. The system also provides direct linkage to the pesticide recommendations developed by WSU for control of pests. The WSU-DAS will be fully operable in 2007. DIURNAL PATTERNS OF INSECT BEHAVIOR

Most of the discussion focused on codling moth. Some observations of moth activity following their release at the base of trees showed differences between laboratory reared and wild moths, indicating the need to use wild moths when possible in such behavioral studies. There were some differences between sexes in their behavioral response following release. While most moths ended up in trees several remained or returned to the ground for up to two nights following release. A Michigan study indicated some evidence of moths being in the ground cover but also demonstrated the need to sample at times when moths might be expected to be most active. SAMPLING

The issues around sampling could be divided into field assessments of populations and development of lure methods for moths. Codling moth as a quarantine pest limiting exports to key markets has stimulated the development of sampling plans based on historical data. These plans have helped reduce the incidence detections of codling moth infested fruit into Taiwan. Sampling plans for leafrollers were also discussed, and the importance of sample timing based on new models was stressed as a way to increase confidence in and accuracy of sampling for these pests. The problems associated with using lures of pheromones or kairomones to monitor moths as a means of assessing risk of crop injury were discussed. New lures that combine pheromones and kairomones show promise of capturing more moths in pheromone treated orchards but interpretation of the data for management decision-making remains uncertain. There are some new combinations of pheromones and kairomones that were discussed, which show promise to improve upon exiting lures.

SEMIOCHEMICALS

DEALING WITH BIASES - COLONIES VERSUS WILD POPULATIONS

There was considerable discussion about how to interpret data on responses to various stimuli from moths originating in colonies versus the wild type. It was generally agreed that colony moths could be used for certain kinds of studies to show proof of concept when addressing certain questions, but the need to bridge these data to behaviors of wild moths was stressed. The use of wind tunnel data and extrapolation to field behavior of wild moths was discussed. Some behaviors can be elucidated in the wind tunnel, but the differences between wild moth behavior in the field to stimuli that are not active in wind tunnel situations suggest that the latter data be interpreted with caution. While no one suggested that wind tunnel studies have no value there was a realization that inferences from such studies need to be confirmed in field studies, which present some serious challenges associated with experimental design and resources. FACTORS STABILIZING MATING DISRUPTION

Mating disruption has become a major pest management tool for western orchard systems and is becoming more important in eastern systems. Therefore, the discussion on how to optimize mating disruption and create stability of pheromone-based pest management systems is important to many of those participating in the meeting. New pheromone technologies are focusing on automated delivery methods to reduce dependence on labor, which is identified as a barrier to increased adoption of the technology. For codling moth, the distribution of point sources of pheromone as flakes, fibers or sprayable formulations of different kinds shows promise of enhancing control using pheromones; however, technological barriers remain in delivery of these devices into the tree canopy at critical times. The combination of kairomones and pheromones in some new mating disruption technologies was discussed, but evidence of the contribution of the kairomone component is not conclusive. The most important factor in maintaining stability of mating disruption is to maintain the target population as low levels using a combination of tactics, including supplemental applications of insecticides as required and biological control. The concern about insects developing resistance to pheromones was discussed. Studies establishing for the first time baselines for behaviors and electro-physiological measurements of different populations of codling moth were discussed. The good news was that while there were differences between colony and wild moths there were no differences between wild moth populations evaluated from Washington, Michigan and Canada. MECHANISMS - HIGH POINT SOURCE VERSUS LOW POINT SOURCE

There is a considerable amount of research being conducted on delivery of pheromones that do not require hand application of release devices. These formulations rely upon a low release rate per dispensing unit relative to the traditional hand-applied devices. Labor intensive studies that place known amounts of high point source - low release pheromone devices in orchards have shown remarkable power in reducing successful mating of codling moth and oriental fruit moth. The delivery of most of these formulations, however, is not efficient in placing release devices in trees, less than 35% in most cases, and the longevity of some formulations is not likely to be sufficient to make them commercially viable. There was discussion on what studies were needed to demonstrate the value of the high point source approach in mating disruption so as to encourage companies to continue to develop such technologies and to improve on the efficiency of delivery systems. LURE AND KILL

Discussion on lure and kill as a management approach focused on codling moth. The only active research being conducted combines a sprayable pheromone technology and an extremely low volume of a broad-spectrum insecticide. There was some good evidence presented that this approach has promise and does not lead to negative consequences associated with the use of the broad-spectrum insecticide applied using typical air-blast spraying methods. There are some issues associated with label changes required for certain pesticides if the technology and approach continue to show promise.

The future of biological control in orchard ecosystems is a challenge for the group to bring into focus because of the wide variety of activities most participants are involved in. The negative effects of newer insecticides on biological control agents needs to be further clarified. One outcome of the meeting was at least one working group that will if funding is approved, work on the biology/phenology of key biological control agents. These data are lacking and are key to using new insecticides at times when they would have the least negative impact on biological control. There will likely be establishment of a working group on further evaluating the negative effects of new insecticides on selected natural enemies. This group will seek funding from various sources for this activity. Advances in the development of new pheromone delivery systems resulted in a good discussion on mechanisms and how to enhance the effect of pheromone in commercial settings. The combination of pheromones and kairomones continues to be of great interest and several individuals and groups are working on identifying new chemistries. The working group established in 2006 to examine the mechanisms of mating disruption for codling moth and oriental fruit moth is continuing to work together. The WERA-043 project will need to be re-written in 2008. Leadership was assigned to begin working on the project re-write. Steve Welter and Peter Shearer agreed to lead the organization of the 2008 meeting. The format for the 2008 meeting worked well but there needs to be time for some breakout meetings in topic areas for planning. The meeting will once again be held in Portland, OR prior to the Orchard Pest and Disease Management Conference.

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