View
46
Download
0
Category
Tags:
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
Management of Pest Mole Crickets in Florida and Puerto Rico with a Nematode and Parasitic Wasp. N. C. Leppla, J. H. Frank and M. B. Adjei. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
N. C. Leppla, J. H. Frank and M. B. Adjei
Management of Pest Mole Crickets in Florida and Puerto Rico witha Nematode and Parasitic Wasp
Scapteriscus didactylus, the “West Indian mole cricket” or “changa,” probably arrived in the West Indies by flying from South America hundreds of years ago
Scapteriscus abbreviatus, the “short-winged mole cricket,” occurs in Puerto Rico and a few other islands, and probably arrived in ship ballast~ this species cannot fly and is only a minor problem
Damage to sweet peppers in the
Dominican Republic caused by the “West Indian mole cricket”
In Grenada, vegetable seedlings are attacked by
the same mole cricket
Damage to a Florida golf course by the South American
mole cricket, Scapteriscus vicinus
J.P. Parkman-UF,IFAS
Mole cricket damage and chemical pesticides for control cost an estimated 100 million dollars in the Southeastern US annually
Chemicals are too expensive for use on pasture land
Mole crickets rebound in most treated areas
Concern about non-target effects of chemicals
Chemical Control
www.pesticidereform.org
Biological Control Alternative A two pronged approach Parasitic nematode Steinernema scapterisci Parasitic Wasp- Larra bicolor
Parasitic nematode Steinernema scapterisci
K. Nguyen - UF,IFAS
exit the cadaver and are temporarily free-living
free-livingnematodes
penetration
juveniles develop in the host body
juveniles develop in the host body
sexualmaturation
produce
eggs
Steinernematid Life Cycle
Flask containing nematodeson diet-soaked sponge
Application of nematodes to pasture land
Mole Cricket State Program
Objective: To conduct research/demonstration projects that will widely distribute the
entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema scapterisci, in Florida; determine its establishment, rate of spread and impact on Scapteriscus spp. mole crickets, and support its commercialization
Nematode applications Nematac S 80 billion nematodes 32 counties Education & training Nematode diagnostics Nematode survey Refined methods Establish & Spread
Mole Cricket Nematode in Florida
6 months- 80% mole crickets infected 1 year- infected mole crickets spread
nematodes across the pasture 3 years-
• 85% decline in mole crickets• 40-95% recovery of bahiagrass• 20-35% infected mole crickets
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
2002
2001
2000
1999
Biological Control of Mole Crickets in Florida by the Nematode
Mole Cricket Nematode Project Mole Cricket Nematode Project In Puerto RicoIn Puerto Rico
Apply Nematac S in appropriate habitats
Survey for entomopathogenic nematodes
Adapt release and evaluation methods
Demonstrate establishment and spread
Determine the impact on pest mole crickets
Mole cricket Mole cricket escaping from escaping from soap solution soap solution in its gallery at in its gallery at a golf course in a golf course in Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
A turf farm A turf farm in Puerto Ricoin Puerto Rico with “changas” with “changas”
A palm grove next to A palm grove next to a 3-acre peanut fielda 3-acre peanut fieldin Puerto Ricoin Puerto Rico
A 1-acre organic farm
in Puerto Rico
Mole cricket pitfall trap at a golf course in Puerto Rico
Biological Control of Mole Crickets in Puerto Rico by the Nematode Scapteriscus didactylus, was trapped at the golf
course and organic garden Scapteriscus abbreviatus was also discovered at
the organic garden Mole crickets captured at the golf course
contained Steinernema scapterisci Steinernema scapterisci became established at
the golf course and killed S. didactylus Mole crickets from the organic garden were
not infected
Parasitic Wasp- Larra bicolor
Lyle Buss- UF, IFAS
Larra bicolor on Spermacoce verticillata
Lyle Buss- UF, IFAS
Biological Control of Mole Crickets in Florida & Puerto Rico by the Wasp Parasitism of Scapteriscus vicinus 24% near
Gainesville, Florida Wasp in 22 Florida counties by natural spread and
releases Larra bicolor feeds at nectaries of 4 plants plus
Spermacoce verticillata Spermacoce verticillata plots provided near mole
cricket infestations Cooperators watch for wasps feeding on the flowers Wasp may function additively with the nematode
Management of Pest Mole Crickets in Florida and Puerto Rico
Established the nematode and waspDetermined that they are effectiveProvided economical mole cricket control
We have shown that biological control offers long-term, cost effective mole cricket
management
http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu
Any Questions?Leppla, Frank & Adjei
Recommended