Testing the Multipher Trap for Codling Moth and the Leafroller Complex, and
Refining Disease Prediction Systems for North Central Ohio Apple Orchards
Principal Investigators:
Ted W. Gastier, Huron County Agricultural Agent
Abstract:
Eighteen fruit growers in North Central Ohio enrolled 23 apple blocks and 6
peach blocks in the 1998 North Central Ohio Tree Fruit IPM Program. Scout/technicians
made weekly orchard visits to monitor populations of insect and mite pests as well as
beneficial insects and mites. The disease component for apples was monitored with local
climatological records, SkyBit Weather Products, and temperature/leafwetness sensors. The
objectives of this project were; 1). To test the Multipher trap for monitoring codling moth
and the leafroller complex, 2). To monitor temperatures and leaf wetness at three locations,
3). To compare two weather reporting methods at each of the above locations, 4). To utilize
predictive computer software for managing fire blight and hardware for managing apple
scab, 5). To deliver timely disease management information to growers and Extension
Personnel.
Methods:
The Multipher trap is a reusable monitoring device based on pheromone lures and
pest strips. Trapped specimens remain intact and thus improving proper identification by
growers. Each orchard operation had a least one set of three Multipher traps and three
conventional wing traps for monitoring codling moths. Single Multipher traps were also
used in both apple and peach orchards to monitor redbanded leafroller populations.
Additional Multipher traps were hung for tufted apple budmoth, Oriental fruit moth, lesser
peachtree borer, peachtree borer, obliquebanded leafroller, variegated leafroller, fruittree
leafroller, eyespotted bud moth, and spotted tentiform leafminer.
Three leafwetness/temperature monitors were installed at three locations. These
monitors had been purchased with funding from a 1997 IPM MiniGrant. Weather products
were purchased from SkyBit, Inc. for geographical locations represented by the three monitor
sites, Daily climatological records were downloaded from websites for Fremont, Norwalk,
and Elyria. These locations were the closest official weather stations to the monitor sites.
The Maryblyt fire blight prediction software was utilized and the Modified Mills
Chart for apple scab was provided to growers for their consideration. Wetting periods and
temperatures were shared with all producers receiving the North Central Ohio Fruit IPM
Newsletter. Forty-four hard copies of this newsletter plus the Ohio Fruit ICM News were
distributed weekly to growers, Extension personnel, and fruit industry organizations. In
addition, 161 E-mail addresses received electronic versions of the Ohio Fruit ICM News.
Results & Discussion:
The codling moth was the one insect species selected for direct comparison of trap
catches between the conventional wing trap and the Multipher trap. Table 1 shows the results.
Codling moth pressures were light in North Central Ohio apple orchards which might
explain the difference between the seasonal averages of the two types of traps. However, the
patterns of increased and decreases between generations was evident for both types. The
ease of use was often mentioned by both scouts as to one advantage of the Multipher as the
"stickiness" of the wing trap bottom was eliminated, thus making weekly trap servicing
easier and faster. This was true for all species monitored with the exception of spotted
tentiform leafminer. The high populations of adults (often in the thousands) required
dumping them on a grid for counting. The cost reduction was another advantage of the
Multipher. Based on a useful life of at least 4 years for the Multipher, the annual cost of sets
of three is as follows:
Conventional wing trap with plastic top, sticky bottoms, and pheromone lures - $65.16
Multipher trap with vaportape and pheromone lures $22.98
Temperatures were less variable than leaf wetness. A benefit of the SkyBit products
was the forecast for wind speed related to clock time. Many growers used this product for
determining "spray windows" due to the high degree of accuracy. A.E. "Sandy" MacDonald,
of the National Weather Service, suggested that the wind and temperature forecasts are
correct 80 to 90 percent of the time. But predictions of heavy rain, snow, and hail are
accurate only 25 percent of the time. The reason: Temperature and wind patterns stretch
over vast areas but most weather systems that drop precipitation are quite small.
Results of Climatic Conditions Monitored for Apple Disease Management
The disease predictive devices, Maryblyt and the Modified Mills Chart, were less
timely and more cumbersome to use than the SkyBit Disease Predictive Products. The
Skybit products also included the summer apple diseases of sooty blotch and fly speck for
which we lack manual models. One challenge for distributing the SkyBit information on a
daily basis is the number of growers still lacking FAX or E-mail capabilities. Electronic
transmission was provided for 13 growers and county Extension personnel.
Extension Program Implementation:
The value of Multipher traps will be shared at the 1998 Fruit and Vegetable Congress
with growers encouraged to try orchard monitoring as the basis for pest management. Those
with either E-mail or FAX will be advised to consider utilizing SkyBit products for both
climatological and apple disease predictions. We desire to expand our successful IPM
program beyond the "Fruit Belt" of Northcentral Ohio because of the benefits to the
environment, to addressing social concerns with pest management, and to the sustainability
of Ohio tree fruit producers.
For further information contact Ted Gastier Ohio State University Extension, Huron County or the Ohio IPM Office.
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