Pest Management Science (2019) 75, 1971-1978

Sujan Dawadi, Jason B. Oliver, Paul O'Neal and Karla M. Addesso (2019)
Management of flatheaded appletree borer (Chrysobothris femorata Olivier) in woody ornamental nursery production with a winter cover crop
Pest Management Science 75 (7), 1971-1978
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The flatheaded appletree borer (Chrysobothris femorata Olivier) (FHAB) is a native pest of fruit, shade and nut trees throughout the United States. Use of cover crops is an effective pest management tool for some key insect pests in vegetable and cereal production systems, but its impact in woody ornamental production systems has not been investigated. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a winter cover crop for management of FHAB in nursery production. Red maple trees (Acer rubrum L.) grown under four treatment regimes (cover crop, cover crop + insecticide, bare row and bare row + insecticide) were evaluated for damage by FHAB and impact on tree growth parameters.
RESULTS
The cover crop reduced FHAB damage, with results equivalent to standard imidacloprid treatments. The reduction in FHAB attacks in cover crop treatments may be due to microclimate changes at preferred oviposition sites, trunk camouflage or interference with access to oviposition sites. Tree growth was reduced in the cover crop treatments due to competition for resources.
CONCLUSION
Physical blockage of oviposition sites by cover crops and subsequent microclimate changes protected against FHAB damage. Therefore, cover crops can be an alternative to chemical insecticides.
(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): Jason B. Oliver, Karla M. Addesso

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Chrysobothris femorata