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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #176736
Title: BIOLOGICALLY-BASED INSECTICIDES FOR PECAN PEST MANAGEMENT

Author
item Shapiro Ilan, David
item Cottrell, Ted
item GARDNER, WAYNE - UGA
item Wood, Bruce

Submitted to: Western Pecan Growers Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/8/2005
Publication Date: 3/1/2005
Citation: Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Cottrell, T.E., Gardner, W.A., Wood, B.W. 2005. Biologically-based insecticides for pecan pest management. Western Pecan Growers Association Proceedings. 39:4-12.

Interpretive Summary: Pecan is the most valuable North American native nut crop. Insects and mites can cause severe crop losses in pecan. Use of broad spectrum insecticides can be harmful to beneficial natural enemy populations (e.g., lady beetles and lacewings) and lead to outbreaks of non-targeted pests (e.g., aphids). Biologically-based insecticides represent one group of alternative tactics. This paper presents some of the important biologically-based insecticides that are available, or currently being researched, for control of major pecan insect pests, particularly the pecan weevil, pecan nut casebearer, and hickory shuckworm. Biobased products that are currently being used and are effective in controlling certain caterpillar pests (such as hickory shuckworm and pecan nut casebearer) include insect growth regulators that kill insects by disrupting their natural growth processes, and by-products obtained from bacteria. Beneficial nematodes and fungi are being studied for their potential to control pecan weevil.

Technical Abstract: Insects and mites can cause severe crop losses in pecan, Carya illinoensis Wang., K. Koch. Use of broad spectrum insecticides can be harmful to beneficial natural enemy populations (e.g., lady beetles and lacewings) and lead to outbreaks of non-targeted pests (e.g., aphids). Thus, due to lack of target specificity as well as other environmental and regulatory concerns, alternatives to broad spectrum insecticides are necessary. Biologically-based insecticides represent one group of alternative tactics. This paper presents some of the important biologically-based insecticides that are available, or currently being researched, for control of major pecan insect pests, particularly the pecan weevil Curculio caryae (Horn), pecan nut casebearer, Acrobasis nuxvorella Neunzig, and hickory shuckworm, Cydia caryana (Fitch). Insect growth regulators such as tebufenozide, methoxyfenozide, and diflubenzuron, as well as the metabolite-based spinosad, are effective at controlling various lepidopteran pests such as hickory shuckworm, pecan nut casebearer, and fall webworm. Entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi are being studied for their potential to control pecan weevil.