Take Back the Greenhouse Learning how to control pests with biocontrols Paul Koole Technical Team Coordinator North America
Biocontrol of thrips Knowledge is Key Think about what crops you want to grow possible pest pressure Extra focus on Problem children Control options: BCA s Time of year Cultural practices Pesticides (compatibility w/bca s) 6/18/2018
18 juni 2018 Aphid behaviour in the greenhouse Arrival and adaptation to the plant Winged / alate from conducting exploratory probe into phloem Inject fluids into the plant and manipulate host Explosive reproduction Asexual (no males present) Viviparous Developing alates and migration to other plants* * Influenced by multiple factors
Problematic species Limited N of problem species Despite polymorphism, recognizing species easier than expected Specific problems not only caused by the species itself, but also by presence of bacteria or fungi Facultative symbionts: Reproduction Heat stress Plant manipulation Resistance to parasitoids 18 juni 2018
Identification Importance of identification: When using BCA s parasitoids work on specific species! When using traditional control some pesticides and or application technique work better then others depending on species! Some aphid species cause more damage then others (e.g. Foxglove aphid) common mistakes Color is not a good indicator! Aphids have a very wide range of host plants plant spp does not tell what aphid spp you have 18/06/2018
Identification Based on morphological characteristics: Abdomen: - shape and color patern - dorsal lines and stripes Wings: - vain pattern Head: - shape, color and position of tubercles - size, color and position antenna Cornicle: - shape, color and size Cauda: - shape, color and size
18/06/2018 Aphid anatonomy
18/06/2018 Aphid identification
Documents Blackman & Eastop (2000). Aphids on the world crops. An identification guide. Wiley, Chichester, UK. Available at http://www.aphidsonworldsplants.info 18/06/2018
Aphis gossypii A.K.A. Cotton or Melon Aphid Relatively small, size varies (0,9 1,8 mm); Black cornicles Red eyes Relatively short antennae Colour: depends on food source, temperature and population density 18 juni 2018
Myzus persicae subsp. Persicae Myzus persicae subsp. nicotianae A.K.A. Green peach aphid & Tobacco aphid Relatively small, size varies (1,2-2,1 mm) Colour varies from green to pink; Tobacco aphid is always pink or red (but not a distinctive characteristic) Antenna same length or slightly shorter then body Medium size cornicles Red morph* behaviour is different: more tolerant to higher temperatures; less suceptible to pesticides; Difference in predator preference *Due to adoption of a gene from a fungi
Macrosiphum euphorbiae A.K.A. Potato aphid Larger aphid species (1,7 3,6 mm) Long cornicles with darker tips & long legs Antenna very long, longer than body Dark, longitudinal stripe on dorsal surface Yellowish, bright green or pink Easily disturbed, which works as a defense mechanism aphids drop when plant is touched 18/06/2018
Aulacorthum solani A.K.A. Foxglove aphid / Glasshouse potato aphid Larger aphid species (1,8-3,0 mm) Glossy yellowish-green to brownish green Medium - long cornicles Dark green patches around the cornicles Antennae exceeds length of the body marked by a number of dark bands Black tips on legs When piercing leaves or fruits (SP), excretes toxic substance which causes deformation plant destructive! 18/06/2018
Parasitoids Aphidius colemani Parasitizes Green peach aphid (myzus persicae) Cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) Potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) Foxglove aphid (Aulacorthum solani) Strengths Quick high search capacity High oviposition (approx. 80-100/day) Majority of eggs laid first 3 days Excellent searching behaviour at low aphid densities Weaknesses Sensitive to hyper-parasitism Strawberry aphid (Aphis forbesi) Blackcurrant aphid (Aphis schneideri) Small bramble aphid (Aphis ruborum) Raspberry aphid (Aphis idaei) Banker system(s) Oleander aphid (Aphis nerii) Bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) 18 juni 2018
Parasitoids Aphidius ervi Parasitizes Potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) Foxglove aphid (Aulacorthum solani) Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) Rose aphid (Macrosiphum rosae) Large raspberry aphid (Amphorophora idaei) Blueberry aphid (Ericaphis fimbriata) Strengths Quick (faster than A. abdominalis) high search capacity Aggressive! High oviposition (approx. 80-100/day) Majority of eggs laid first 3 days Active search from 10C Banker system(s) English grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) Weaknesses Sensitive to hyper-parasitism 18 juni 2018
Parasitoids Aphidius matricariae Parasitizes: Green peach aphid (myzus persicae) Cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) Potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) Foxglove aphid (Aulacorthum solani) Strengths Quick start up, faster than A. colemani high search capacity High oviposition (approx. 80-100/day) Banker system(s): Oleander aphid (Aphis nerii) Bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) Less sensitive to hyper-parasitism 18 juni 2018
Parasitoids Aphelinus abdominalis Parasitizes Green peach aphid (myzus persicae) Cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) Potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) Foxglove aphid (Aulacorthum solani) Strawberry aphid (Chaetosiphon fragaefolii) Blueberry aphid (Ericaphis fimbriata) Banker system(s) English grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) Strengths Long life span: 30 day 2 months Substantial contribution by hostfeeding 18 juni 2018
Aphidoletes aphidimyza Strengths Excellent searching behaviour /very mobile Deposit eggs where needed (e.g.hotspots) Larva kill up to 80 aphids per day Makes way for parasitoids Oddities Mating first night after hatching Pupae drought prone Presence of honeydew strong influence on ovi-position and longevity of the adult Diet Adults nectar and pollen Larvae all aphid species 10-100 aphids per gall midge 50% during last larval stage
Aphidoletes aphidimyza Cycle: 15 C : 4,5 weeks 20 C: 3 weeks 25 C: 2 weeks Longevity: 7-10 days Conditions: > 16 C, 80% RH
Aphidoletes aphidimyza 18/06/2018
Adalia bipunctata Strengths Hotspot cleaner (but not completely ) Reproduction inside the greenhouse Direct In action Weaknesses: Relatively expensive Limited search behaviour Adults are able to leave the greenhouse Diet: Aphids 100 prey/ dag 80% total consumption during last 2 larval stages
Adalia bipunctata Cycle: Egg - larve: 1 week Larvae - pupae: 3 weeks Pupae - adult: 1 week Ovi-position: In groups of 10-40 eggs 500 eggs in total over 30 days Longevity: 50 days Conditions: 24-28 C, 70-80%RV
Chrysopa carnea(lacewing) Strengths Relatively cheap Direct in action Tolerant to low temperatures (< 0 C) if daily temperature is higher Weaknesses Installation difficult Cannibalistic Diet Adults nectar and pollen Larvae polyphage, prefers aphid species Consumes 300-500 aphids in total
Parasites & Predators Parasitoids Parasitoids vs Predators Generally better searchers find that first aphid! Use host to lay egg inside and reproduce life depends on it! (specialist) Are often more specific to one or a few species of host Used as a first line of defense, in combination with banker plants. Predators Better/faster in cleaning up hot spots Eat or such dry their prey and are often very varocious (true killers) Develop better in hotspots Are not very species specific are not picky eaters! 18/06/2018
Preventative Biobest strategy Severity scales of aphid infestation Free of aphids / no detection 1 2 Semi-curative Expect first aphids / first detected Distributed over the whole plant 2 Curative Aphids present Mainly in the head bigger colonies High curative Multiple, big colonies Honeydew production, alate forms 3 4
Biobest strategy Preventative Parasitoids (with/without banker plants) Aphelinus abdominalis Aphidius spp. Semi-curative Parasitoids (with/without banker plants) Aphelinus abdominalis Aphidius spp. Curative Gall midge / searchers Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Episyrphus balteatus) High curative Voracious predators / less searchers Adalia bipunctata Chrysoperla carnea More organic More conventional
Tools Banker systems: Parasitoid bankers predator bankers Induced resistance Feeding stations Artificial Nectar -bankers Feeding spray
18/06/2018 Barley banker plants
Feeding stations or spray Goal Increase fecundity and longevity of BCA s Plants Allisum Artemisia Crambe cardifolia Polygonum Artifical flowers (experimental) Sprays (experimental)
Pitfalls Balance swings Aphid reproduction Hyper-parasitism Intraguild Impatience...
Balance swings
Aphid reproduction Mainly in organic production Certain periods of the year, a boost of aphid population is to be expected Anticipate with different BCA s in advance Meticulous monitoring of aphids AND beneficials!
Intraguild Swirskii Aphidoletes eggs Coenosia adults parasitic wasps Coenosia larvae Aphidoletes? Macrolophus Aphidoletes/Episyrphus larvae...
Aphid hyper parasitoïds The enemy of my enemy is my friend? 18/06/2018
Knowing them better Tritrophic relations Hosts (Aphids) Primary Parasitoids = more specific Hyperparasitoids = generalists Source: Mustata & Mustata So there is not an existing list of hyperparasitoid per parasitoid species, because that will depend on too many parameters: crop, aphid species, presence of nectar, location, climate, etc
Knowing them better Endoparasites Common species: Alloxysta sp, Lytoxysta, Phanaeoglyphis sp, Tetrastichus They have more specific hosts Some of them can parasitize mummies too Young Colemani larva (remains alive for a while) Aphid not yet mummified (recently parasitized by colemani)
Knowing them better Endoparasites
Knowing them better Endoparasites A. colemani Alloxysta victrix
Knowing them better Endoparasites
Ecto Endo Parasitoid Primary Parasitism Mummy Knowing them better Chronology, their weakness Hatching Total 7-8 days 5-7 days 13-16 d Secondary parasitism Hatching 2-3 d 14-21 days 16-24 d 7-10 days 14-21 days 21-31 d 18 juni 2018
Knowing them better Some elements from literature Hyper parasitoids appear after a certain density of mummies. Primary parasitoids can escape in presence of hyper parasitoids Presence of plant nectar, or honey dew can increase attraction and help development of hyper parasitoids (better fecundity + longevity) 18/06/2018
Strategy to avoid hyper parasitoids Check hyper parasitism rate in a regular base (mummies or adults) Try to keep aphid density low (prefer preventive strategy releases) Bankerplant management!
Strategy to avoid hyper parasitoids Be careful with banker plants!! Check bankers for hyper parasites Don t let them fade out in the greenhouse (not longer than 4 weeks and 6 weeks max!) If possible, introduce the banker plants already parasitized in a cage (protected from hypers)
Banker scheme to avoid hyper parasitoids Egg larva larva adult adult adult adult adult adult adult adult adult (Sting)egg larva adult pupa (mummy) (Sting)egg larva pupa (mummy) adult Protected sting cage/room Carry off bankers (close-cropped) before hatching of hyperparasites!
Variation in terms of BCA s: Strategy to avoid hyper parasitoids Use predators like Aphidoletes, Chrysopa they kill also parasitized + hyper parasitized aphids! Use parasitoid species less susceptible to be parasitized (Matricariae / Aphelinus?) 18/06/2018
6/18/2018 THRIPS
Thrips Different thrips species found in the industry: Frankliniella occidentalis (Western Flower Thrips most common) Franklinella intonsa (European Flower Thrips) Franklinella tritici (Eastern Flower Thrips) Thrips tabacii (Onion Thrips) Echinothrips americanus (becoming more common) Scirtothrips dorsalis (Chili Thrips) Very important to get proper ID if you are unsure! June 18, 2018
The enemy: Frankliniella occidentallis (Western flower thrips) Thrips ID 6/18/2018
Echinothrips americanus Thrips ID 6/18/2018
Thrips life cycle egg Larvae 1 Adult Larvae2 pupae 6/18/2018
Thrips WFT development Egg (In leaf tissue) Larva 1 & 2 (on plant exposed) Pupa (in soil) Adult (on plant exposed) 68F 6 days 3 + 3 Days 6 days up to 60 days 86F 3 days 1.5 + 1.5 Days 3 days 20-40 days 3 Fecundity in vegetative 4 stage of crop 4 5 eggs / female Fecundity when pollen available 15 eggs per female June 18, 2018
Thrips WFT development Egg (In leaf tissue) Larva 1 & 2 (on plant exposed) Pupae (in soil) Adult (on plant exposed) 68F 6 days 3 + 3 Days 6 days up to 60 days 86F 3 days 1.5 + 1.5 Days 3 days 20-40 days 3 4 Amblyseius spp Hypoaspis miles Orius insidiosus Orius insidiosus Atheta coriaria Steinernema f. Steinernema f (40% effective) Fecundity in vegetative stage of crop 4 5 eggs / female Fecundity when pollen available 15 eggs per female June 18, 2018
Thrips development time Development of thrips in 60 days (@ 68 F) 30 days 30 days One female thrips ± 90 thrips 6/18/2018 ± 5800 thrips
Thrips Benefical Insects Amblyseius cucumeris vs Amblyseius Swirskii Bulk or Sachets??? Mini Sachets, Regular Sachets, Sachets on a stake Degenerans w/nutrimite Orius Banker Plants Nutricards Nematodes Steinernema f. Hypoaspis Atheta
Biological Control of Thrips Amblyseius cucumeris June 18, 2018
Biological Control of Thrips Amblyseius swirskii June 18, 2018
Biological Control of Thrips A.degenerans 6/18/2018
Biological Control of Thrips Hypoaspis spp. June 18, 2018
Biological Control of Thrips Atheta June 18, 2018
Biological Control of Thrips Orius insidiosus (can be in combination with banker plants pepper and/or allysum plants) June 18, 2018
Orius feeds on larval and adult thrips Nutricard: enhances introductions of Orius; gives extra protein, just like in production. 6/18/2018
Steinernema feltiae active searcher wetting agent recommended penetrates larvae most activity b/t 15-20C release of symbiotic bacteria in reproduction kills host in 48hrs Controls: Which nematode is effective for thrips?? fungus gnat larvae Western Flower Thrips larvae & adults - NOT: Echinothrips, Chilli thrips(scirtothrip dorsalis), Banded Grhs thrips(hercinothrips femora) 6/18/2018
Biological Control of Thrips Steinernema feltiae (R. Buitenhuis AAFC Harrow) Steinernema feltiae coming out of larva Steinernema feltiae inside adult thrips Thrips larva Adult thrips June 18, 2018
6/18/2018 Nematodes swimming
No Hitch hikers?? Thank you to Wendy Romero, U. of Guelph, Ontario, Canada and Flowers Canada! 6/18/2018
Clean cuttings & plugs Wendy Romero s work at U of Guelph (Hitchhikers on mum cuttings): Followed incoming cuttings at potted mum grower from supplier for 8 months (January to August 2009) Sampled every 2 weeks 5 varieties Cuttings where washed out in Ethanol (Adults and Larva) Not one sample had zero thrips Number of thrips were as high as 3 Adult thrips per cutting and even more L1 and L2 This is visually almost not detectable! 6/18/2018
Clean cuttings & plugs Average number of adults and immature per sample per cultivar 6/18/2018
Controlling pests in propagation Incoming plant material and own propagation: Use nematodes and /or botanigard to minimize problems getting foothold in propagation Pro-actively dip / submerge rooted or unrooted cuttings in a nematode solution (Steinernema spp) and / or Beauveria bassiana (BotaniGard) Be very consistent with all the propagation this is the main part of the overall program! As soon as mist is reduced or off start with other BCA s June 18, 2018
June 18, 2018 Dipping & sprenching
Application: dipping
Planting line water tunnel Application: sprenching 6/18/2018
Application: tips Think like a nematode: it s alive!! ; naturally occurring in the soil; it needs water/moisture to swim /move around UV light kills Rates: How often; When to apply, how much per application Use low of pressure as possible while still getting good mist ; from 75psi 300psi recommended??; pump or nozzle? Remove filters: <1mm diameter Nozzles: should be >1mm 6/18/2018
Application: tips Avoid sharp differences is water temperature vs. nematodes when mixing Cooler water better more capacity to hold oxygen Use entire package: not necessarily mixed homogenously Premix larger volumes of nematodes with water in separate bucket; min of 10L Ensure solution remains agitated (bubbler) throughout application; nematodes settle 1cm/min Apply immediately, do not store solution 6/18/2018
BCA s for thrips Cucumeris sachets in propagation June 18, 2018
BCA s in action Amblyseius cucumeris mini sachets on baskets 6/18/2018
Biocontrol innovation Nutrimite: 6/18/2018
Bio-control in Action Pepper plants to establish and support Orius: June 18, 2018
Plants with Orius also used outside: Bio-control in Action June 18, 2018
Quick review Thrips population can and usually starts early in crop cycle Know & understand your pest biology Know & understand possible pest issues in your crops Start BCA program ASAP Use BCA s to manage chemical resistance 6/18/2018