Bioinsecticide basics

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1. Bioinsecticides 101 Dr. Ayanava Majumdar (Dr. A) Extension Professor & State SARE Coordinator Auburn, AL 36849 Tel: [phone] [email protected] www.alabamabeginningfarmer.com

2. Disclaimer!! Handouts may be slightly different. Email [email protected] if you are concerned! Initial research is done in controlled environments – then evaluated by farmers. Name of products does not mean endorsement. Adapt or develop pest management strategies as needed – ‘site-specific IPM’ is the goal! Keep record of what works for you Contact your county Extension office for updates.

3. UN Sustainable Dev. Solutions Network (2013) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) research & grower surveys in AL suggest over 50% yield loss due to unmanaged insect attack!

4. Sustainable IPM Practices (Overview) Prevent Insecticide Resistance & Pest Resurgence

5. Staggered trap crop system Tomato (main crop, 22 rows) Red Defender, Red Bounty Sorghum/sunflower trap crops Plum orchard Plum orchard Planting dates: 19 May, 12 June, 2017 Planting date: 9 June due constant rainfall Pheromone trap

6. The trap crop difference! Untreated check without staggered trap crop: Heavy leaffooted bug and caterpillar feeding Trap crops: Sorghum NK300, Peredovik sunflower With staggered trap crops: Reduced LFB feeding. No effect on caterpillars

7. Trap crops + insecticides = great crop! Radiant 5 oz (7DAT2) + staggered trap crops No significant LFB feeding in conventional plots Perimeter trap crops: Sorghum NK300, Peredovik sunflower Bt treatments (7DAT4) + staggered trap crops No significant LFB feeding in organic plots

8. Clanton, Feb 2017 Turnip trap crop 2 rows, 200 feet long (defoliated by YMLB) Turnip trap crop 2 rows, 200 feet long (defoliated by YMLB) Turnip as a trap crop to protect cabbages from yellowmargined leaf beetles Cabbage main crop – 10 rows (No YMLB feeding damage)

9. Hubbard squash trap protects yellow squash from insect pests! Hubbard trap crop (Cucurbita maxima) Hubbard trap crop (2 rows) Destiny yello w squash (Cucurbita pepo) Hubbard squash varieties: Baby Blue (High Mowing Seeds) New England (Heirloom Seeds) Baby Blue New England Clanton, 2013

10. Temporary pest exclusion system Short-term solution – goal is to prevent infestation Ease of use, minimal training needed Perfect for small scale agriculture, market gardens Examples: Super Light Insect Barrier, AgroFabric Pro

11. Permanent pest exclusion systems Great for high tunnels – this is known as the ‘High Tunnel Pest Exclusion System’ or HTPE Long-term strategy Moderate cost with reduced insecticide-dependency Can be integrated with biological control agents

12. Insect Pest Activity Updates

13. Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda Image: J. Obermeyer, Purdue Univ. Entomology Beet armyworm, S. exigua Image: Oklahoma State Univ. Extension Image: J. Capinera , Univ. of Florida Yellowstriped armyworm, S. ornithogalli Southern armyworm, S. eridania Image: J. Capinera , Univ. of Florida Corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea Image: A. Majumdar, ACES Tomato hornworm, Manduca quinquimaculata Image: A. Majumdar, ACES Cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni Image: A. Majumdar, ACES The Very Hungry Caterpillar Complex in Alabama!

14. Common aphid species on vegetables in Alabama Green peach aphid ( Myzus persicae ) Jim Baker, Bugwood.org Potato aphid – two forms ( Macrosiphum euphorbiae) Whitney Cranshaw , Bugwood.org; David Cappaert , UF Cotton or melon aphid (Aphis gossypii ) Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org Cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora ) Whitney Cranshaw , Colorado State University, Bugwood.org Cabbage aphid ( Brevicoryne brassicae ) Lyle Buss, University of Florida

15. Severe aphid outbreak (2015)

16. Common stink bug species in vegetables (‘macro bugs’) Brown stink bug ( Euschistus servus ) Image: Russ Ottens , Bugwood.org Image: Herb Pilcher, Bugwood.org Southern green stink bug ( Nezara viridula ) Image: Russ Ottens , Bugwood.org Image: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org Brown marmorated stink bug ( Halyomorpha halys ) Image: Susan Ellis, BugWood.org Image: Brian Little, Bugwood.org Leaffooted bug ( Leptoglossus spp.) Images: Ayanava Majumdar, Bugwood.org Squash bug ( Anasa tristis ) Images: Ayanava Majumdar, Bugwood.org Harlequin bug ( Murgantia hirtrionica ) Images: Whitney Crenshaw, Bugwood.org

17. Sucking insect pest: Leaffooted bugs Images: A. Majumdar, ACES Heavy fruit drop in eggplants (LFBs)

18. Leaffooted bugs love to feed on okra! Tarnished and bumpy fruits due to excessive feeding

19. Yellowmargined leaf beetle (YMLB) and imported cabbageworm (ICW) contaminate produce Diamondback moth YMLB ICW

20. J. Castner , UF 8 d 13 d (3–4 instars) 6 d Yellowmargined leaf beetle (Microtheca ochroloma) Adult Eggs Larva Pupae Cold hardy stage 2+ generations per year High pest pressure in spring Warm winters favor buildup Images: R. Balusu (Auburn Univ ), J. Castner (UF/IFAS) YMLB training module: http://www.aces.edu/anr/ipm/Vegetable/ymlbtrapcrop.php

21. Yellowmargined leaf beetle damage Early defoliation Extreme defoliation & stem tunneling Root damage

22. Cabbage head severely damaged by YMLB Clanton, March 2017

23. First step to IPM: Pest Detection/Monitoring Use pheromone traps for improved scouting Trap Catch = Pest Density X Pest Activity Very cost effective…perfect for beginning farmers!! Develop site-specific IPM strategies Sticky wing trap Z-trap Sentinel trap (camera)

24. U.S. Drought Monitor: Alabama Source: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?AL

25. Seasonal Activity of Major Insect Pests (Alabama, 2019) Soybean looper Cabbage looper Tobacco budworm Fall armyworm Beet armyworm Lesser cornstalk borer (major peanut pest) Squash vine borer (major vegetable pest) Corn earworm Season total = 890 moths Rainfall (Montgomery) Temperature (Montgomery) Season total = 517 moths Season total = 113 moths Season total = 662 moths Season total = 6360 moths Season total = 356 moths Season total = 1130 moths Season total = 75 moths

26. Level 3. Organic Insecticides

27. Biorational Pesticides/Organic Insecticides/Approved Insecticides??? Biorational pesticide are “any type of insecticide active against pest populations, but relatively innocuous to nontarget organisms and therefore, non-disruptive to biological control.” (Schuster & Stansly , UF) Biorational products are typically derived from natural or biological origins and include biological pesticides as well as products used for crop stress management, enhanced plant physiology benefits, and root growth management. (Valent BioSciences ) Biorationals may not be OMRI approved!! Bioinsecticides = derived from natural sources, OMRI approved for organic use!

28. Characteristics of biorational insecticides Naturally sourced or extracted (except insecticidal soap) Fast environmental degradation (except spinosad ) Target specificity (except oils, spinosad , pyrethrin ) Mostly non-systemic (except spinosad , neem)

29. Insecticides displayed by bottle size, not the Active Ingredient (AI)! Choosing an ORGANIC INSECTICIDE can be tough!

30. Organic insecticide classification (EPA Category III & IV poisons) Online vendors: Amazon, GardensAlive , Arbico Organics, Sevenspringsfarm , and many others!

31. Where to find alternative insecticides? Alabama Farmers Cooperative Stores Helena Chemical Company Crop Production Services Monterey AgOrganics Southern Ag ArbicoOrganics.com Gardensalive.com 7Springsfarm.com DoMyOwnPestControl.com Forestry Distributing Amazon.com Ag Retailers/Service providers Online sales

32. Physical desiccants

33. Kaolin Clay Present naturally in soil in tropical countries Foliar spray at high rate (25 lb /A) OMRI approved – Surround WP (95% clay) Feeding deterrent

34. Diatomaceous earth (DE) Natural siliceous sedimentary rock Has 80 to 90 percent silica – contains remains of diatoms (algae Melosira granulata ) Abrasive to insect exoskeleton Physico-sorptive capability (dehydrates arttropods )

35. Microbial insecticides (living organisms)

36. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) IRAC Class 11 (disrupts midguts) Four generations: Bt kurstaki ( DiPel , Javelin, CoStar , Deliver) or Bt aizawai (Xentari, Agree) 2 species premix – not available commercially Pseudomonas-based systems: MVP Recombinant DNA ( Btk+Bta ): Crymax – GM product…not organic approved

37. Friend of friends – Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Frequent appl. starting on detection, thorough coverage needed Needs 10-14 days to be effective 0 Pre Harvest Interval (PHI)

38. Beauveria bassiana Contains fungal spores Contact action Slow acting but effective at low pest pressures Target pests: nymphs & adults of whiteflies, thrips, aphids, mealy bugs, scarab beetles Check label for OMRI OMRI approved

39. PFR-97 ( Paecilomyces fumosoroseus ) 20% fungal spores Affects whiteflies, aphids, thrips Contact action – fungus grows from outside to the inside Kills insects in 5 days but requires frequent reapplication (5 day intervals) Under evaluation in AL against YMLB & other pests PFR 97 WDG by Certis (OMRI approved)

40. Viruses Have to be consumed for action Highly species specific Examples: Gemstar (4-10 oz /A) for corn earworm larvae ( Helicoverpa zea ) Spod -X LC for beet armyworms ( Spodoptera exigua )

41. Nematodes Unsegmented worms that enter target insects via mouth, anus, spiracles or damaged body wall Enter body of host & introduce bacteria Varied search behavior: Ambushers ( Steinernema feltiae – NemAttack – use for fast moving insects, e.g., cutworms, maggots) Hunters ( Heterorhabditis bacteriophora – NemaSeek – use for slow insects, e.g., grubs, rootworms)

42. Botanical insecticides (plant extracts)

43. What are botanical insecticides?

44. Neem-based Insecticides Neem II (oil + pyrethrin) Contact action for oil, controls immature insects Azadirachtin : Insect growth regulator Slight systemic action on small crops Two forms: With azadirachtin : small caterpillars, whiteflies Oil (no azadirachtin ): aphids, scales, thrips 4.5% azadirachtin 3.0% azadirachtin

45. Pyrethrin/Pyrethrum Broad-spectrum insect control Pyganic 1.4EC, 5 EC – OMRI approved Pyrethrin + piperonyl butoxide (PBO-synergist) is not organic Insects may recover – apply at high rates! Try not to use preventively – insecticide resistance/resurgence issues 6% AI+ 60% PBO NOT organic Organic

46. Microbial derivatives (microbial extracts)

47. MoA : Mimic neurotransmitter, hyperexcite insects Entrust: For organic producers Spinosyn Neurotoxin derived from microbes – but has no microbe in product! Excellent for thrips, leafminer , caterpillar control with 1 day PHI May move into leaf surface with spreader – longer persistence Monterey may require more applications

48. Microbial pesticide derived from Chromobacterium subsugae strain PRAA4-1 (30% AI) Can be used in open field and greenhouse Complex and broad mode of action against caterpillars & small sucking insects (aphids, thrips, WFs) + mites Doesn’t interfere with beneficial insects Use a surfactant Good activity against BAW and SAW on tomato applied at 2 lb /A, 2 to 4 weekly treatments (UFL & UC 2011 studies)

49. Venerate for caterpillar control Heat-killed Burkholderia spp. Strain A396 ( Proteobacteria ) Kills insects by enzymatic degradation of exoskeleton Interferes with molting (contact action) Controls or suppresses…aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, caterpillars Avoid application during adult stages of insects Can be used in open field or greenhouses – cucurbits, fruiting vegetables, cole crops, bulb vegetables, herbs, leafy vegetables etc.

50. Premix Insecticides

51. Mantis Miticide

52. Insecticide Premixes Azera ( Valent ): Azadirachtin + pyrethrin Interferes with molting, rapid knock-down Contact, stomach action, IGR Pyola Insect Spray: Pyrethrin + canola oil Contact insecticide Controls aphids, caterpillars, mites, flea beetles GardensAlive.com DoMyOwnPestControl.com

53. Insecticide Premixes Ha s pyrethrin + sulfur Watch for plant sensitivity when using premixes (read label carefully)

54. New Premixes Botanigard Maxx 0.75% pyrethrin 0.06% Beauveria bassiana 1 to 2 fl oz per gallon water Leap Btk 25.5% Methyl Salicylate (inducer of host plant resistance) 0.5 to 2 qt per acre (5 day schedule spray for disease prevention)

55. Soaps and Oils

56. Insecticidal Soap Potassium salt of fatty acids Control soft-bodied insects (aphids, whiteflies) Some short-chain fatty acids are herbicides (household detergent) No residual action, not rain fast OMRI Approved Not OMRI Approved

57. Petroleum oils Highly refined petroleum oils Stylet oils are highly refined hort. oils, interfere with virus transmission. Parafinnic oils are contact poisons; disrupt gas exchange. They are also fungistatic .

58. Vegetable Oils Physical poisons Short residue Effective against soft-bodied insects Do not use if temps are >90F May not be OMRI approved Soybean oil (93%) Sesame oil 5% Fish oil 92% Pyola Insect Spray = vegetable oil + pyrethrin

59. Rotate Organic Insecticides

60. Efficacy data (field trials)

61. Turnip Plant Defoliation from YMLB Clanton, AL, Spring 2019 Turnip ‘Purple Top’ (trap crop) a b b b b b b b Treatment dates: May 9, May 17 (2019) Observation date: May 21 (4DAT2) 8 treatments, 3 replications 13 ga /acre, 4 mph YMLB damage rating: 1 = Very light defoliation (<10%), 2 = light defoliation (10-30%), 3 = moderate defoliation (30-50%), 4 = heavy defoliation (50-70%), 5 = very heavy defoliation (70-90%), 6 = complete defoliation (>90%)

62. Clanton, 2016 YMLB control on turnip trap crop (7DAT4) Entrust 3 oz (DR = 2.7) Untreated check (DR = 4.3) PyGanic 18 oz (DR = 2.3)

63. Clanton, 2016 YMLB control on turnip trap crop (7DAT2) PyGanic 18 oz (DR = 2.3) Grandevo 3 lb (DR = 3.0) Entrust 3 oz (DR = 2.7)

64. Alternative Insecticides (Low Rates) Clanton, AL (2015) % Worm Damage on Tomato Fruits Untr . check Grandevo 1.5 lb Xentari 0.5 lb GOS Neem 28 oz Pyola 1% Untr . check Grandevo 1.5 lb Pyganic 16 oz Variety: Bella Rosa Xentari 0.5 lb Pyganic 16 oz GOS Neem 28 oz Pyola 1% Xentari 0.5 lb + Pyganic 16 oz Xentari 0.5 lb + Pyganic 16 oz Xentari 0.5 lb + GOS Neem 28 oz Xentari 0.5 lb + GOS Neem 28 oz Pyola 43 oz + GOS Neem 28 oz Pyola 43 oz + GOS Neem 28 oz Azera 16 oz Azera 16 oz Good treatments have low fruit damage from caterpillars and consistent size/maturity. Worse stink bug feeding on fruits: Check, Xentari, Neem, and Pyganic treatments

65. Fruit quality with Xentari (low rate , 5 sprays) Check plots Xentari 0.5 lb /A 13-18% fruit damage Uneven fruit size at low rates Clanton 2015 53-55% fruit damage (live caterpillars)

66. Fruit quality with Pyganic (low rate , 5 sprays) Check plots Pyganic 16 fl. oz. 33-45% fruit damage Heavy stink bug feeding Clanton 2015 53-55% fruit damage (live caterpillars)

67. Fruit quality with Xentari + Pyganic (low rate, 5 sprays) Check plots Xentari 0.5 lb + Pyganic 16 fl. oz. Clanton 2015 53-55% fruit damage (live caterpillars) 15-28% fruit damage

68. Organic Treatment Comparison (2017) Check plots (48% fruit damage) Xentari-Azera-Xentari-Azera 5DAT4 (10% fruit damage) Azera-Xentari-Azera-Xentari 5DAT4 (18% fruit damage) Xentari-Pyganic-Xentari-Pyganic 5DAT4 (13% fruit damage)

69. Organic Insect Control in Tomatoes (2019) Caterpillar and stink bug feeding damage on 10 fruits per plot Location: Clanton, AL Variety: Mountain Fresh Treatment dates (weekly appl): Aug 7, Aug 14, Aug 21 Treatment specs: 1634 ml water per plot, 2 mph, 31 gpa Plant burn due to drought Aug & Sept 2019 were abnormally dry months. Data in red indicate percent reduction compared to untreated check. Plant burn due to drought Trap crop planting date: May 16, Tomato transplanting: May 30

70. Ant management options

71. Ant Control in Vegetables Cultural tactics: Identify the species – fire ants or other species? How active is the colony? Area infested? Ants seek heat and moisture, also follow aphids Ants don’t like mechanical or foot traffic Manage ants before they enter the vegetable field or garden

72. Ant Control in Vegetables Insecticides: Confirm species before treating large areas Bait insecticides are better than drenches Insecticide choices: PayBack (0.015% spinosad bait by Southern Ag) for fire/harvester ants – NOT ORGANIC Come and Get it (0.015% spinosad bait by Fertilome ) for fire ants – NOT ORGANIC Monterey Ant Control Pellets (0.97% Iron phosphate + 0.07% spinosad) for all ants except fire ants - OMRI APPROVED Seduce Bait (0.07% spinosad) by Certis USA, apply close to target – OMRI APPROVED

73. Organic Spreaders/Sticker

74. SKH Sticker for Bioinsecticides Can be used with insecticides, insect growth regulators, fungicides, and herbicides ¾ lb per 100 gallon spray solution Prevents rain and irrigation wash-off OMRI approved for organic crops Source: Forestry Distributing, Boulder, CO

75. Spreader Activator Source: Forestry Distributing, Boulder, CO Natural nonionic surfactant – promotes leaf wetting and absorption of spray May be added to bioinsecticides and foliar nutrients OMRI approved for organic crops

76. Lessons from alternative insecticide studies Directed spray of alternative insecticides with thorough coverage is important. Spray on calm evenings – reduce drift, protect pollinators CO2 backpack sprayer @ 25 GPA, 30 psi for insecticides Jacto cannon sprayer for fungicides

77. Try the battery-operated sprayers for small farms or gardens! Remember to spray under the leaves with good nozzles! Flo Master Pumpless ($35) Ukoke U04GS Cordless ($38) 45 PSI, 500 ml PM

78. Top five organic insecticides for vegetable gardeners Bt – DiPel (worms in general), Xentari (for armyworms) Pyrethrin – PyGanic (for small worms, leaffooted/stink bug nymphs) Spinosad – Monterey Garden Insect Spray, Fertilome Borer/Bagworm Spray (for aphids, thrips , nymphs) Neem/oil with azadirachtin – Neemix , Molt-X (for soft bodied small insects) Insecticidal soap – as a rotation partner – do not tank mix with others! New Extension Resource “Home and Market Garden (Urban Farm) IPM Toolkit”

79. Stop – Look – Identify! Identify the pest vs. beneficial Misidentification of insects is common E.g., predatory (A) vs. phytophagous stink bug (B) Source: Clement Akotsen-Mensah , Alabama IPM Communicator newsletter, 2011, Vol. 2, Issue 3

80. Avoid over-spraying! Rotate bioinsecticides. Avoid direct spray over beneficial insects. Spray at evening hours when bees are inactive. Direct your spray to the underside of leaves. Let the product dry out to reduce toxicity. How to reduce non-target effects?

81. IPM in Organic Cropping System Remove abiotic stresses Conserve natural enemies (habitat) Correctly identify insect pest Biological control agents ( microbials ) Cultural tactics – variety, rotation, trap crop Pest exclusion tactics (temporary/permanent systems) Correct insecticide delivery system: correct application rate, timing, coverage, equipment

82. Educational Resources

83. Training Videos & Webinar Recordings www.alabamabeginningfarmer.com

84. Scan code below to…

85. Great source of crop production and IPM info Mobile-friendly website www.aces.edu/ipmcommunicator Alabama IPM Communicator Newsletter

86. Thank you! Dr. Ayanava Majumdar (Dr. A) Extension Professor & State SARE Coordinator Auburn, AL 36849 Tel: [phone] [email protected] www.alabamabeginningfarmer.com Questions?