April Whiteflies in the Landscape

Transcription

1 April 2011 Whiteflies in the Landscape

2 No Silver Bullet

3 What is IPM??? IPM (Integrated Pest Management) is the coordinated use of pest and environmental information and available pest control methods to prevent unacceptable levels of damage by the most economical means with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment. - EPA. Biological Control Cultural Control Physical Control Chemical Control in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks.

4 Identify Pest and Beneficial insects Evaluation & Follow-up Make IPM Decisions IPM Program Monitor Pest Populations Action Threshold Preventative Practices

5 Plant Damage: Honeydew and Sooty Mold Honeydew is a sticky clear sugary substance that is excreted from certain insects such as aphids, soft scales, whiteflies and mealybugs. These insects feed on a variety of landscape plants and can be found on the leaves and stems where they use sucking-piercing mouthparts to pierce plant tissues and suck out the juices from within. The excreted honeydew coats leaves, stems, and fruit, stimulating the growth of sooty mold.

6 Identifying the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly and Beneficial Insects

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8 Known Florida Keys locations of the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly

9 Gumbo Rugose Limbo Spiraling Whitefly Whitefly Aleurodicus rugioperculatus First found at USDA office in Miami on Gumbo Limbo, Bursera simaruba Spring 2009 Known from Belize, Guatemala and Mexico Eggs are in a spiral pattern Adult is relatively large and docile In 2010 first noticed in Florida Keys

10 Adults Rugose Spiraling Whitefly

11 Spiraling Eggs Rugose Spiraling Whitefly

12 Immature Stages Rugose Spiraling Whitefly

13 Monitor Pest Populations Look for insect pests on key plants gumbo limbo and palms: coconut, others? Keep records of your monitoring and scouting results, weather and Insect management activities: what date you applied it what you have applied what method

14 Monitor Pest Outbreaks Look for insect pests on key plants gumbo limbo and palms: coconut, others? Monitor plants for early signs of an infestation because it is easier to mange the pest before it builds to high populations and cause major damage. If you have an infestation on a tree, be sure to search nearby trees as well because this whitefly feeds on many types of trees. Scout the landscape frequently for pests Reduces the spread of the pest Reduces the amount of pesticides used Reduces cost May allow for the use of less harmful control measures

15 Accurate Whitefly Identification Identify the Rugose Spiraling whitefly insect (all life stages) and their signs and symptoms Sooty mold Honeydew Flaky white wax If you find other insects on the plant leaves bring to Extension office they may be natural enemies Tip: When in doubt, call the Extension office

16 Plants Hosts Copperleaf Sugar apple Norfolk island pine Black olive Gumbo limbo Calophyllum species Madagascar periwinkle Cocoplum Satinleaf Coconut palm Buttonwood Hawaiian ti Hurricane palm Areca palm Eugenia spp. Strangler fig Edible fig Spindle palm Mango Manilkara roxburghiana Wax myrtle Banana Virginia creeper Avocado Pygmy Date palm Live oak Sabal palm Brazilian pepper Simaroubaglauca Smilax auriculata Spondias sp. Spondiaspurpurea White bird of paradise Bird of paradise Tabebuia species Tropical almond Veitchia species Washingtonia palm Zeuxinestrateumatica And, the list continues to grow

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18 Action Threshold Rugose Spiraling Whitefly is new pest in United States and is in outbreak mode!! Treatment Thresholds Light: egg spirals Heavy: egg spirals, immature stages, adults Timing What to apply and when How much does it cost: money, natural enemy mortality and DAMAGE TO PLANT AND ENVIRONMENT Monitoring Frequent monitoring of insect pest and natural enemies, the damage being caused to plants and the surrounding environment

19 Preventative Practices Using plants resistant to the pest insect Habitat modification

20 Preventing Pest Problems/Outbreaks When Installing Plants 1. When buying, select only plants that are healthy and free of Rugose Spiraling Whitefly Many pest problems in managed areas are attributed to importation via infested plant material

21 Preventing Pest Problems/Outbreaks When Installing Plants 2. Avoid species that typically have pest problems Especially palms and Gumbo Limbos are susceptible to the Rugose Spiraling whitefly

22 Preventing Pest Problems/Outbreaks When Installing Plants 3. Select natives or plants well adapted to our climate If you have the whitefly on your property, identify what plants are not being attacked and inform us!

23 Preventing Pest Problems/Outbreaks In Established Plants 1. Proper cultural care a. Establish a fertilization program 2-3 times per year with a 100% slow release product IF NEEDED b. Water as needed

24 Preventing Pest Problems/Outbreaks In Established Plants 1. Proper cultural care c. Pruning correctly - If you remove fronds that are infested with the whitefly double bag it or kill them before putting it curbside. Otherwise potential of spreading.

25 Preventing Pest Problems/Outbreaks In Established Plants 2) Habitat modification - plant several plant species of differing canopy heights in an area. - plant flowering plants. This can help to enhance populations of predators and parasitoids

26 Making IPM Decisions Intervention Control Measures Biological Controls Beneficial insects (parasitoids and predators) Cultural Controls Strong streams of water / power wash but don t damage plants Pest resistant cultivars Physical Controls Pruning away damage/infestations (but it needs to be bagged) Chemical Control Horticultural oils, Insecticidal Soaps, Contact /Foliar and Systemics

27 Managing Rugose Spiraling Whitefly haspiercing/sucking Mouthparts Can be difficult to control Life cycle information unknown Often not noticed until populations are high Many have waxy secretions/coverings that provide protection Excessive production of honey dew

28 Management of Whitefly in the Landscape Need long term management which requires other options other than complete reliance on insecticides Natural enemies Alternate plant choices Cultural control Scouting and monitoring

29 Need to determine what beneficial insects are in the Keys that are feeding on are laying their eggs in the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly Discussion with the State of Florida PHM Biocontrol and TREC (Tropical Research and Education Center) for rearing beneficials parasitoids Biological Control

30 Parasitoid Identified in Miami Encarsia guadalupae

31 Predator Identified in Miami Nepasphis oculata

32 Biocontrol Advantages Follows natural control methods: predator against prey In the Miami area, the parasitoid Aleuroctonus vittatus at high levels Protecting natural enemies is a critical component in the longterm control of this pest and harm to our landscape plants, and near shore waters

33 Biocontrol Disadvantages Predators and parasitoids follow the Needle in a Haystack method slow process Beneficial populations lag behind pest populations and take time to build up in numbers that can be crashed by Broad spectrum or persistent insecticides often kill high proportion of predators and parasites, particularly when applied as a foliar spray Carbamates : carbaryl Organophosphates: Malathion Pyrethroids: bifenthrin, cyfluthrin

34 Cultural Control Uses practices that change the environment to reduce or prevent pests from being a problem. Right plant, right place Use seeds and plants that are insect-pest free Properly prepare the planting site Use the right amount of fertilizer and water Use mulch

35 Physical Control Washing plants with garden hose or power washer make sure not to damage foliage! Test water force on portion of plant Small infestations or small plants Must remove the immature stages and eggs.

36 Chemical Control Least toxic Contact spray directly onto the pest. These are least toxic, less harmful to natural enemies of pests and to the environment. Horticultural Oils Insecticidal Soaps

37 Horticultural Oils and Insecticidal Soaps Horticultural oil or insecticidal soap Strictly contact so thorough coverage is required spray underside of leaves Several applications are required 7-10 days Phytotoxicity under high temperatures Apply in cooler temperatures, under if possible Test product on small portion of plant, wait three days to make sure it hasn t fried the plant leaves

38 Management Small Plants: Thoroughly wash plants off with a strong stream of water Trade names BioNeem Neem Oil Active Ingredients Neem Oil Chemical Class Botanical Follow-up with insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils, spray once a week for 3-4 weeks. Repeat as needed. Follow label instructions Organocide Ultrafine Oil Insecticidal Soaps Paraffinic oil oil, vegetable oil Potassium fats Biorational Biorational

39 Fruit trees, including coconuts if you Strong streams of water Horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps Monitor plants on weekly basis for new whitefly outbreaks Repeat applications of water and/or horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps eat the fruit!

40 What is our goal when we use Prevention? Keeping a pest from becoming a problem Suppression? Reduce the numbers to a level where the harm/damage is acceptable Eradication? Difficult to achieve. A more common goal for interior situations pesticides?

41 And this is important, why? Pest Resistance Water contamination Non-target organisms Pesticide movement Did you know that more pollution comes from homeowner landscapes than any other source in Florida?

42 How do pests develop resistance?

43 How do pests develop resistance?

44 How do pests develop resistance?

45 How do pests develop resistance?

46 How do pests develop resistance?

47 Should you read the label? Yes! Before you buy a pesticide Yes! Before your mix a pesticide Yes! Before you apply a pesticide Yes! Before you dispose of a pesticide container If you have any questions about the label contact the Pesticide company, phone number is on label Yes! It s the law! Misuse or overuse can cause problems such as insect resistance, secondary pest problems, environmental contamination, and detrimental effects on non-target organisms

48 Non-Target Organisms Can be harmed directly (contact) Harmed by residue or accumulation

49 How do pesticides move? In water, through runoff or leaching

50 Water Pesticides enter water through: drift, leaching and runoff Spills, leaks and backsiphoning Improper disposal of pesticides, rinsates and containers Photo: Linda Seals

51 Air This is usually called drift Can occur in or outdoors Fine nozzles or fine droplet sizes are more likely to drift Dusts are more likely to drift

52 Management of Whitefly in the Landscape Foliar and Systemic Insecticides Sometimes important in the early management of a pest Appropriate choices of insecticide, formulation, methods of application and frequency of application Effects on natural enemies

53 Pesticide Classifications Unclassified (general use) Restricted-Use Pesticides (RUP s) Can only be applied by certified applicators Applies to application, mixing, loading, transporting, storing, handling, care and maintenance of equipment, disposal

54 Specific Management Tips Gumbo Limbo Whitefly Scout spiraling eggs on undersides of leaves; easy to see

55 Specific Management Tips Gumbo Limbo Whitefly Foliar insecticides contact may be difficult due to heavy wax production Soil or trunk insecticides use for heavily infested trees; can use for nearby plants or if eggs are present

56 Foliar Insecticides for Homeowner Use Trade Name(s) Active Ingredient Flower, Fruit & Vegetable Insect Killer (Ortho) Acetamiprid Bug B Gon Max Lawn & Garden Insect Killer (Ortho) Rose & Flower Insect Killer (Bayer Advanced); Lawn & Garden Insect Killer (Schultz) Triazicide Once & Done Insect Killer (Spectracide) Indoor/Outdoor Broad Use Insecticide (Hi-Yield) Yard & Garden Insect Killer (Bonide); Rose & Flower Insect Spray (Spectracide) Bifenthrin Cyfluthrin Lambdacyhalothrin Permethrin Pyrethrin

57 Management Options Foliar Insecticide Application Whitefly should be present Foliar insecticides may provide quick control, most will not provide long-term control. Some foliar insecticides (i.e. pyrethroids) may disrupt the natural enemies and should be used very selectively. It is not recommended to use the same insecticide on both the foliage and in the soil = potential pest resistance

58 Systemic Insecticides Apply a systemic (neonicotinoid has the active ingredient either: Imidacloprid or Dinotefuran) insecticide to the soil Soil applications (drench, granular, pellets) Expect approximately 1 year control; spring application Apply a foliar insecticide for quick knockdown.

59 Neonicotinoid Insecticides Active Ingredient Acetamiprid Clothianadin Trade Names Professional Use TriStar (no soil application) Arena, Aloft* Trade Names Over-the-Counter Dinotefuran Safari Green Light Tree & Shrub Insect Control with Safari Imidacloprid Thiamethoxam Merit, Marathon, Coretect, Discus*, Allectus*, several generic labels Flagship, Meridian Bayer Advanced Lawn Complete Insect Killer; Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control ; Ortho Max * Contains a Neonicotinoid and a pyrethroid

60 Management Large Plants, Ornamental trees & heavily infested plants Thoroughly wash off with a strong stream of water Consider using a systemic insecticide that can be applied as a soil drench, as a granule, or as a tablet. Systemics may take several weeks to be effective for large trees but are long lasting (9-12 months) Follow all label instructions Trade name Tree& Shrub Insect Control w/ Safari Tree & Shrub Insect Control (bayer advanced, Fertilome, Ortho Max) Active Ingredient Dinotefuran Imidacloprid Chemical Class Neonicotinoid Neonicotinoid

61 Fruit trees, including coconuts if you Suggest to use the friendliest products: strong stream of water, insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils. If that does not work then perhaps the foliar/knockdown labeled for specific fruit. For systemic it has to be labeled for fruit and applied to nonbearing tree. eat the fruit!

62 When to hire a professional to control Rugose Spiraling whitefly Heavy infestations that can t be hosed off before treatment Plants in environmentally sensitive area Your treatments are not effective in controlling the pest

63 Questions to ask professional What pesticide license and insurance do you have? What is the pest? How will you control it? What active ingredient will you be using? How will you be applying it to the plant? What is the cost per tree/palm?

64 Application Methods For Professionals to use Neonicotinoid Insecticides Soil drench need sufficient water to reach the root zone; apply within a couple feet of the trunk Granular applied to the soil surface; follow with irrigation/rain Pellets bury around the trunk Trunk spray spray directly to the lower trunk Trunk injection requires specific equipment to inject into the lower trunk

65 Evaluation and Follow-Up -Requires monitoring - Were methods effective? - Is re-treatment required?

66 Remember - the below symptoms do not stop or go away immediately even if you are controlling the pest Leaf drop White, waxy flock Sooty mold Do not apply additional insecticide unless you are sure it is necessary

67 Myth buster It is killing trees (including coconut palms) It is linked to lethal yellowing It is transmitting a virus Need to use an insecticide preventatively It is only on gumbo limbo Being called coconut whitefly Others?

68 Web Resources Pest Alerts University of Florida DOACS

69 Kim Gabel, Environmental Horticulture Agent UF/IFAS Monroe County Extension 1100 Simonton Street, Suite Key West or Catharine Mannion, Ornamental Entomology Research and Extension Specialist University of Florida, IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center SW 280 th Street Homestead, FL