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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #375578
Research Project: Ecology and Biologically-based Management Systems for Insect Pests in Agricultural Landscapes in the Southeastern Region

Location: Southeast Watershed Research

Title: Biopesticide and parasitoid effects on Megacopta cribraria life stage density and egg parasitism in soybean

Author
item Olson, Dawn
item Tillman, Patricia - Glynn
item TOEWS, MIKE - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/17/2020
Publication Date: 4/20/2021
Citation: Olson, D.M., Tillman, P.G., Toews, M. 2021. Biopesticide and parasitoid effects on Megacopta cribraria life stage density and egg parasitism in soybean. Journal of Entomological Science. 56(2):272–277.

Interpretive Summary: Since its invasion of the southeastern United States in 2009, Megacopta cribraria has become an agricultural pest of soybean. The use of chemical-based arthropod control is the dominate means of controlling this pest, however, this practice can harm non-target species including Paratelenomous saccharalis, an egg parasitoid of M. cribraria. We tested the effect of the biopesticides, Azera, Neem and Pyganic on all life stages of M. cribraria as well as parasitism of egg masses by. P. saccharalis. Pyganic had no negative effect on any life stage of M. cribraria. Azera was effective at reducing M. cribraria 2nd instar nymphs and eggs laid, but it also reduced parasitism of eggs by P. saccharalis. Neem also had a negative effect on M. cribraria 2nd instar nymphs but did not significantly reduce egg parasitism. These results suggest that Neem is the most suitable of these biopesticides for use in an integrated pest management strategy in soybean.

Technical Abstract: Since its invasion of the southeastern United States in 2009, Megacopta cribraria has become an agricultural pest of soybean. The use of chemical-based arthropod control is the dominate means of controlling this pest, however, this practice can harm non-target species including Paratelenomous saccharalis, an egg parasitoid of M. cribraria. We tested the effect of the biopesticides, Azera, Neem and Pyganic on all life stages of M. cribraria as well as parasitism of egg masses by. P. saccharalis. Pyganic had no negative effect on any life stage of M. cribraria. Azera was effective at reducing M. cribraria 2nd instar nymphs and eggs laid, but it also reduced parasitism of eggs by P. saccharalis. Neem also had a negative effect on M. cribraria 2nd instar nymphs but did not significantly reduce egg parasitism. These results suggest that Neem is the most suitable of these biopesticides for use in an integrated pest management strategy in soybean.