Authors: Atanassov, Atanas; Shearer, Peter W.; Hamilton, George C.

Source: Environmental Entomology, Volume 32, Number 4, August 2003 , pp. 780-788(9)

Publisher: Entomological Society of America

Abstract:

We conducted timed visual observations of the peach canopy to monitor beneficial fauna diversity and abundance in orchards with reduced risk and conventional arthropod management programs. In addition, we placed sentinel Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) eggs in the peach canopy and determined egg parasitism, predation, and the total impact of natural enemies. Reduced risk orchards used minimal insecticide, G. molesta mating disruption, and managed sod ground cover to suppress Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Heteroptera: Miridae). Conventional orchards used organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides to control G. molesta, L. lineolaris, and other pests. Chrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister) and C. plorabunda (Fitch) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Coccinella septempunctata L. and Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Orius insidiosus (Say) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae), and Trichogramma minutum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) were the most frequently observed natural enemies in southern New Jersey peach orchards. Hippodamia convergens (Guerin-Meneville), Adalia bipunctata L., Coleomegilla maculata De Geer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and T. exiguum Pinto et Platner (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) were observed less frequently. Beneficial fauna was more abundant in orchards with the reduced risk program compared with conventionally farmed orchards. The rate of G. molesta sentinel egg parasitism and predation was significantly higher in reduced risk orchards compared with conventional orchards. Overall, predators destroyed more sentinel eggs than did egg parasitoids.

Keywords: Oriental fruit moth; parasitoids; predators; sentinel eggs; peach orchards

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2003-08-01

More about this publication?

• Environmental Entomology is published bimonthly in February, April, June, August, October, and December. The journal publishes reports on the interaction of insects with the biological, chemical, and physical aspects of their environment and is divided into the following sections: physiological ecology; chemical ecology; population ecology; quantitative ecology; community and ecosystem ecology; biological control­-parasitoids and predators; biological control--microbials; biological control--weeds; behavior; pest management; sampling; plant-insect interactions; molecular ecology and evolution; transgenic plants and insects. In addition to research papers, Environmental Entomology publishes Letters to the Editor, interpretive articles in a Forum section, and Book Reviews.
• Editorial Board
• Submit a Paper
• Subscribe to this Title
• Information for Advertisers
• Visit this journal's homepage
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Entomology
• By this author: Atanassov, Atanas ;  Shearer, Peter W. ;  Hamilton, George C.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers