Project Number: 6606-22000-011-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Feb 07, 2003
End Date: Aug 31, 2005

Objective:
This project develops environmentally sound and economically practical strategies for the control of the significant insect and mite pests of pecan.

Approach:
Research to control arthropod pests involves development of IPM programs and also strategies for practical nonchemical alternatives to the use of standard chemical pesticides applied to the tree canopy. Biological control efforts focus on the potential of entomopathogens (e.g., nematodes and fungi) to suppress the pecan weevil. In addition, the ecology of lady beetles inhabiting pecan will be studied with regard to their impact upon aphid populations. Improved non-biological control research focuses on examining efficacy of chemical insecticides applied to target-specific areas, and alternative non-biological agents such as kaolin-based pesticides for management of certain pecan pests. IPM and monitoring efforts focus on stink bug movement across agricultural landscapes. Additionally, emergence/post-emergence behavior of adult and larval pecan weevils will be studied to better time application of control measures. Research efforts focus on control of pecan weevil, aphids, and stinkbugs but may also include efforts to control hickory shuckworm, nut casebearer, and other pest complexes.

Project Team

Shapiro Ilan, David Cottrell, Ted Wood, Bruce

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Crop Protection & Quarantine (304)

Related Projects

Trait Deterioration in Entomopathogenic Nematodes: Characterization and Stabilization    Application of Entomopathogenic Nematodes in Infected Hosts: Novel Approach to Biological Control    Characterization of Trait Deterioration in Entomopathogenic Nematodes    Trait Deterioration in Entomopathogenic Nematodes: Determination of Genetic Basis    Integrating Biological Control Int0 Pecan Weevil Management: a Sustainable Approach    Infection Decisions by Insect-Parasitic Nematodes