Pest Management Science (2022) 78, 116-125

Juan A. Sanchez, Aline Carrasco-Ortiz, Elena López-Gallego, Maria J. Ramírez-Soria, Michelangelo La Spina, María C. Ortín-Angulo and Helena Ibáñez-Martínez (2022)
Density thresholds and the incorporation of biocontrol into decision-making to enhance the control of Cacopsylla pyri in pear (cv. Ercolini) orchards
Pest Management Science 78 (1), 116-125
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Economic injury level (EIL) and economic threshold (ET) are customary tools for integrated pest management. Cacopsylla pyri L. is a major pest in pear orchards. The aim of this work was to establish EIL and ET for the optimization of the use of insecticides to control this psyllid, considering biocontrol and two spraying strategies (low-toxicity versus broad spectrum chemicals). This research was conducted over 4 years in five commercial pear, cv. Ercolini, orchards in south-eastern Spain.
RESULTS
Psyllids and ant populations were followed using periodic sampling, and the russet on fruits was quantified. The effect of spray intensity and ant exclusion on psyllid abundance and yield were also tested: both had a significant effect on the cumulative number of C. pyri (CNP), yield and fruit weight. Yield was found to be negatively correlated with CNP. The russet index (RI) increased in a sigmoidal fashion as a function of CNP, being significantly higher with than without ant exclusion. The commercial categorization of fruits was explained satisfactorily as a function of CNP and the cumulative number of ants (CNA). The quantitative EIL was established at a CNP of 427.2 for spraying with paraffinic oil and 425.7 for abamectin. As for the cosmetic EIL, when CNA was zero, this EIL was 24.2, at a CNP of 16.6 for spraying with paraffinic oil or abamectin.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of products of low toxicity, for the conservation of ants, is expected to increase ET and, thus, reduce the intensity of spraying.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Juan Antonio Sanchez

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Cacopsylla pyri	Pear (Pyrus)	Spain (continental)