Evaluating Efficacy of Conventional and Biological Insecticides at Low and High Rates for Pecan Weevil Control in Oklahoma
ISSN 2158-9429
Volume 16, Issue 2 - December 2023
Editor: Linda Chalker-Scott
Abstract
Pecan (Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch is an economically important North American nut crop. In Oklahoma, native pecans account for 80 to 90% of total pecan production and Oklahoma ranks among the top three states for native production. The pecan weevil Curculio caryae (Horn) is a key pecan pest affecting yield and quality throughout the Southeastern United States, including portions of Texas and Oklahoma. Current management strategies for weevil control are broad-spectrum in nature and affect a wide range of insects including beneficials. The objective of this study was to evaluate efficacy of low and high rates of conventional and biological insecticides for C. caryae control in Oklahoma. Two conventional insecticides (Warrior® II, a.i.: lambda-cyhalothrin, and Minecto Pro®, a.i.: cyantraniliprole + abamectin), and Grandevo® WDG, with a soil bacterium (Chromobacterium subtsugae) as its active ingredient, were evaluated. There were no significant differences in the percentage of damaged nuts among nontreated trees and those treated with low or high rates of all products. Results from this experiment suggest the use of the microbial biopesticide Grandevo can be used as an alternative to chemical insecticides, in both organic and conventional systems, providing an additional option for C. caryae control in Oklahoma.
View/Download Full Article