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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #130588
Title: KAOLIN PARTICLE FILM DETERS ROOT WEEVILS AND ENHANCES YOUNG TREE GROWTH

Author
item Lapointe, Stephen
item McKenzie, Cindy
item McCollum, Thomas

Submitted to: Diaprepes Task Force Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/21/2002
Publication Date: 2/9/2002
Citation: Lapointe, S.L., Mckenzie, C.L., Mccollum, T.G. 2002. Kaolin particle film deters root weevils and enhances young tree growth. Diaprepes Task Force Abstracts.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: We have previously shown that Surround, a kaolin-based particle film produced by Engelhard Corp. (Iselin, NJ) is a deterrent to Diaprepes root weevil (DRW) feeding and oviposition in laboratory studies. We tested Surround in the field for control of DRW and its effect on plant growth and secondary pests. Surround deterred oviposition by root weevils in greenhouse and field trials. In the greenhouse, there was a positive exponential relationship between spray concentration and deterrence to oviposition by DRW. Oviposition in the field by root weevils (DRW and Pachnaeus) on young trees sprayed once every 3 weeks with Surround was approximately 30% that of untreated trees. Surround applications resulted in an enhancement of growth of newly planted trees, resulting in taller trees with greater cross-sectional area of the trunk compared with untreated trees. Treated trees produced 10 times as many fruit in their third year as untreated trees. Fruit from treated trees were heavier, lost green color earlier than nontreated fruit, and had higher brix and brix/acid ratios. Treated trees were attacked by Florida red scale (Chrysomphalus aonidum) and to a lesser extent, citrus snow scale (Unaspis citri), probably due to disruption of natural biological control.