Pest Management Science (2020) 76, 350-359

Mark R.H. Hurst, Jayanthi Swaminathan, David A. Wright, Scott Hardwick, Colin M. Ferguson, Amy Beattie, Nicola K. Richards, Lincoln Harper, Ray A. Moss, Vanessa M. Cave, Chikako van Koten and Mark R. McNeill (2020)
Development of a Yersinia entomophaga bait for control of larvae of the porina moth (Wiseana spp.), a pest of New Zealand improved grassland systems
Pest Management Science 76 (1), 350-359
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Porina is the common name for moths and larvae of the genus Wiseana (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), some of which are significant pasture pests in New Zealand. Because of environmental concerns and the non-target effects of insecticide control measures, biological alternatives for the control of insect pests such as porina are required.
RESULTS
Using a food preference assay and time-lapse photography, a range of low-cost food ingredients were assessed for their palatability to porina larvae. Lead candidates were combined into extruded bait variants, allowing assessment of their palatability to porina larvae. A composite bait consisting of palatable ingredients was developed, into which the porina-active entomopathogen Yersinia entomophaga was incorporated. A 7 day minimum median lethal dose of approximately 6.0 × ±1 × 10⁶ Y. entomophaga cells per 0.02 g of bait was defined. Field trials showed that the mean change in larval density over time differed between treatments, with Y. entomophaga bait applied at 87 kg ha^-1 resulting in a mean 65% reduction in larval density relative to the control plots, and diflubenzuron treatment resulting in a mean 77% reduction relative to the control plots. The mean dry matter yields over the course of the trial were highest for diflubenzuron (5029 kg ha^-1), followed by the Y. entomophaga (4783 kg ha^-1) and control (4673 kg ha^-1) treatments.
CONCLUSIONS
The bacterium Y. entomophaga applied as a composite bait offers an environmentally sustainable approach for porina pest control.
(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): Scott Hardwick, Mark R. McNeill

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
pheromones/attractants/traps
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
application technology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Wiseana (genus)		New Zealand
Yersinia entomophaga (entomopathogen)	Wiseana (genus)		New Zealand