The Virginia Fruit Site
Organic Fruit IPM
- The Program: Organic Programs and
Certification:
- The Tools: Information on botanical
and other organically acceptable insecticides (Further
research is needed on many organic pest controls. This list is
for informational purposes only; mention of specific materials
does not constitute a recommendation.)
- Azadirachtin
(Aza-Direct,
Neemix,
Trilogy,
Safer BioNeem and others) - derived from the neem tree, Azadirachta
indica, controls by contact or ingestion, acts by way
of repellence, antifeedance, and interference with the
molting process (an ecdysone blocker). Residual life is 7-10
days. It is active on a variety of pests. Good
to excellent on rosy apple aphid, spotted tentiform
leafminer, codling moth and oriental fruit moth.
Aza-Direct may be applied up to and including the day of
harvest, with orchard re-entry permitted after 4
hours. Oral LD50 3,540 mg/kg to greater
than 5,000 mg/kg. Low wildlife toxicity except highly
toxic to fish (but breaks down rapidly).
- BT
(Bacillus thuringiensis (MSDS)
(various trade names, Dipel,
Biobit, Javelin etc.) - bacterial insecticide formulated as
a wettable powder and as an aqueous concentrate. It may be
recommended in combination with either an adjuvant or
another insecticide, so read the label very carefully. Most
effective against newly hatched caterpillars. Death is slow
because the material must be ingested and the biological
action completed within the insect's gut before death
occurs; however, larvae soon cease feeding after ingesting
Bt. Most Bt preparations (B. thuringiensis var.
kurstaki) are effective on caterpillars. Some
subspecies are effective on other pests (B. t. var.
israelensis on Coleoptera (M-One for Colorado potato
beetle), B. t. var. tenebrionis on Diptera
(e.g. mosquitoes). Most Bt toxins are harmless to
vertebrates, but some Bt strains do possess toxins more
toxic
to vertebrates; they are seldom used. There is
interest in resistance
management with the advent of Bt-incorporated crops.
- capsaicin (Hot
Pepper Wax) - This is the material that makes chili
peppers hot. Manufacturers claim control of aphids,
spider mites, thrips, whitefly, lace bugs, leafhoppers, and
many other pests. Spray all plant surfaces, especially
the undersides of leaves where insects hide. After
spraying, allow about 12 hours for the micro-thin liquified
wax to set. text
- entomopathogenic
nematodes - Several types of nematodes are
available that may control a range of agricultural
pests. Steinernema and Heterorhabditis
are two important genera. It is important ot choose
the right nematode for a given pest. "Cruiser"
nematodes are most appropriate for sessile organisms, while
"ambush" nematodes are effective on motile pests. Soil
conditions, including soil moisture have a strong impact on
success of this approach. It may take several weeks to
be able to evaluate control. Commercialsources of
entomopathogenic nematodes include BASF (Nemasys,
Nemasys
L, Nemasys
C, Nemasys
G, Millenium)
and ARBICO.
- kaolin (Surround;
for small plantings, Surround
at Home) - Particle Film Technology (PFT), a
specialized mineral that has been shaped, sized and
formulated for use as an insecticide on many fruit crops.
Applications of 50 lbs per 100-200 gals per acre form a
white "particle film" barrier on treated surfaces. Thorough
coverage must be maintained by multiple applications,
usually every 7-10 days, for effective control. Possible
modes of action may include repellency, deterrence to
egg-laying, irritation, physical barrier and non-recognition
of host. Surround has demonstrated good to excellent
activity against pear psylla, leafhoppers, plum curculio,
apple maggot and Japanese beetle. It is certified for
organic fruit production and is exempt from tolerance
requirements. Surround WP has a 4 hr REI and may be applied
up to harvest. It should not be applied beyond fourth cover
on fruit for the fresh market that will not be washed before
sale, in order to minimize the particle film residue.
- mating
disruption - is registered for control of codling moth (Isomate-C TT,
Checkmate
CM-F), oriental fruit moth (Isomate-CM/OFM
TT, Disrupt OFM), lesser peachtree borer and peachtree
borer (Isomate-PTB
Dual) and peachtree borer (Isomate-PTB) and grape
berry moth (SPLAT
GBM). Hand-placed dispensers are approved for
organic production, but not sprayable and other methods
that apply the material directly to fruit.
Consult a fruit entomologist before using this approach.
Monitor populations with pheromone traps and damage
inspections to make sure mating has been disrupted,
especially when first using this tactic. Mating disruption
works best with low-moderate populations; therefore the
approach should be used only in previously managed or newly
planted blocks. Follow label guide-lines. Specific comments
follow: Codling moth - Apply once per season, about
bloom-petal fall. Uncontrolled sources of immigrations
(abandoned blocks, etc.) should be at least 60 yards away.
Apply conventional sprays through first cover. Sprays of
edge rows are recommended. Treated blocks should be at least
5-10 acres; avoid irregularly-shaped blocks. Dispensers are
applied at 400/A (Isomate) or 200/A Disrupt). Monitor
for oriental fruit moth and lesser appleworm, especially if
near stone fruit plantings. Oriental fruit moth - Apply
hand-placed dispensers once per season, starting before
first male flight of the second generation. Dispensers are
applied at 100-150/A (Isomate) or 108/A Disrupt) Treated
blocks should not be smaller than 2 acres in order to
minimize the effect of immigrating gravid females. Economic
benefit may also be derived in non-bearing blocks where OFM
is the main insect pest. Lesser peachtree borer and
Peachtree borer - Apply at petal fall for LPTB and before
first major flight of PTB. Isomate-LPTB dispensers will also
control PTB when used at higher densities (100/A for LPTB,
and 200-250/A for PTB). Mating disruption has been very
effective against peach borers, and replaces the special
borer spray.
- nicotine - Registrations
cancelled for pesticides containing nicotine.
- pyrethrum,
and products
- PyGanic,
Pyola
(Pyrethrin with Canola oil). Pyrethrum is on OMRI's
Restricted list.
- rotenone
- Rotentone is derived from plants of the genus Derris
form Malaysia, and Lonchocarpus, from South
America. Although it is a naturally-occurring
botanical insecticide, it is prohibited by OMRI. This
material is highly toxic to vertebrates, and should be used
carefully. It is sometimes used as a fish poison.
- rotenone
and
pyrethrins - Pyrellin,
a botanical insecticide blend containing 0.042 lb pyrethrin
and 0.035 lb rotenone per gallon. It is NOT on the OMRI list
of approved materials; while rotanone, as a botanical, is
allowed, there are currently no formulations that meet OMRI
requirements. It has been rated as providing good
control of leafrollers and mites. It is registered on apple,
peach, pear and cherry, and recommended at the rate of 1-2
pts/acre, applied in 25-100 gallons of water. This product
has a short residual life and should be applied at intervals
of 7 days or less. Pyrellin may be used up to and including
the day of harvest.
- ryania
- from a South American shrub, Ryania
speciosa. A stomach poison that causes a
rapid cessation of feeding. LD50 in rats 750-1200
mg/kg. Moderately to toxic to birds and fish.
Formerly recommended but currently unavailable.
- sabadilla
- a neurotoxin usuing alkaloids from a tropical lily, Schoenocaulon
officinale, from Central and South America. Toxic to
honey bees.
- Soap, insecticidal (Safer's
Soap) -
- Spinosad (Entrust) - belongs to a new class of insecticides, the
Naturalytes, derived from a soil microorganism, and has been
designated by EPA as a reduced risk pesticide because of low
toxicity and environmental benefits. It is registered on
apple at 5-10 fl oz/A and on stone fruits at 4-8 fl oz/A,
and provides good control of tufted apple bud moth,
variegated leafroller, obliquebanded leafroller, spotted
tentiform leafminer and western flower thrips. SpinTor is
the original spinosad product but it is not organically
certifiable becasue of inert ingredients. Entrust is
available for organic growers. Spinosad provides
control by contact and ingestion, with fairly short residual
activity. Leafminer control is enhanced by the addition of a
penetrating agent. The mode of action is unique. A
neurotoxin, spinosad affects nicotinic acetylcholine
receptors, and possibly GABA system. Neonicotinoids
affect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors also, but at a
different site; avermectin affects the GABA system, but
likewise at a different site.
- spray
oil
- Regulations, Politics, and
Commerce:
- The Pests:
Biological and monitoring information for direct and indirect
pests affecting:
- The Natural Enemies:
- Predators of Mites and
Aphids Reprinted with permission from
Mid-Atlantic Orchard Monitoring Guide, published by NRAES,
152 Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853-5701. (607)
255-7654