The Mint Pest Alert – A Decision Support Tool for Mint Producers
Agronomy & Pest Management
Christy Tanner
Assistant Professor of Practice
OSU
Tangent
Abstract
Mint root borers, variegated cutworms and loopers are the most challenging pests for mint producers in Oregon. When the narrow spectrum insecticide Coragen (chlorantraniliprole) was registered for use on mint, research indicated that with optimal application timing, good control of these pests could be achieved with a single application of Coragen. Since 2014, the mint pest alert program has provided region-specific insect development information to help mint growers optimize the application timing of Coragen and other products. Each year, pest development was estimated using degree-day models that were run for five weather stations across three mint-growing regions in the state. In-field pest monitoring of 2-5 fields per region was used to verify the model predictions and estimate overall pest pressure. In-field monitoring included pheromone baited traps and weekly scouting. Pest development, pest abundance, and treatment recommendation information was shared with growers and field agronomists through an email newsletter. Supporting information about pest biology and integrated pest management was also included as appropriate. In 2019, a centralized website was developed that included general information about mint pests, as well as an archive of past newsletters. A survey was sent to newsletter recipients to evaluate the effectiveness of the program at the end of each growing season. Survey respondents have consistently reported that the program increased their knowledge of insect development and the use of Coragen by an average of 1 point on a 5-point scale. When asked to select specific ways in which the program has impacted their businesses, most respondents reported multiple benefits. An improvement in pest control was the most commonly reported benefit (55%), closely followed by a reduction in pesticide application frequency (45%). Respondents also reported that the newsletter increased their likelihood of using or recommending Coragen (36%), saved scouting time (27%), and decreased use of broad-spectrum insecticides (18%). In 2022, respondents reported that the financial impact of the newsletter was approximately $28 per acre, a value of approximately $453,000 in pest control savings across mint production acres statewide.
Authors: Christy Tanner, Darrin Walenta
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Christy Tanner Assistant Professor of Practice, Oregon State University , Oregon, 97389
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Darrin Walenta Associate Professor, Oregon State University, Oregon, 97850