Integrated Pest Management May 2000 BLUEBERRIES -Cranberry fruitworms have been found feeding in berry clusters of blueberries. If only a few occur, they may be picked off by hand. If an insecticide is needed, Diazinon AG 500 or 50 WP, Lannate L (restricted use), or Sevin XLR, 80 WP or 50 WP may be used for their control. CHRISTMAS TREES - Pine colaspis beetles are emerging and causing needle damage on our Christmas tree farms. They can cause defoliation of Virginia pines. It is a small light brown beetle. Orthene 75 WP at one pound formulation or Malathion 57% EC at 1 quart per 100 gallons of water may be used for control. Spray for coverage. A second application may be necessary seven to 10 days later. CORN - Stink bugs are attacking our corn. Both the nymphal and adult stages will damage corn. Maximum damage usually occurs when developing ears are only a half-inch long. Stink bugs feeding at this early stage may result in reduced ear weight, length or complete ear destruction. If an average of one stink bug is found per plant, control measures should be implemented. Treat with methyl parathion at 0.25 lb. AI/acre, Sevin 80 SP or Sevin XLR at 1 lb. AI/acre. Continue to scout fields after treatment because stink bugs are strong fliers and additional infestations may develop. Keep in mind as wheat fields are harvested, stink bugs from these fields will move to our corn fields and gardens. Budworms (fall armyworms and earworms) are infesting our corn fields. Treat when there is an average of one worm per plant. Use methomyl (Lannate) at 0.45 lb. AI/acre, Sevin 80 SP or Sevin XLR at 2 lbs. AI/acre. Best results are obtained using flood type nozzles over the whorl applying about 20 gallons of total spray per acre. Chinch bugs are infesting our corn fields. Adults and nymphs suck plant juices from the plant and are usually found between the stalk and leaf sheaths. If plants become stunted and/or turn yellowish in color, treatment may be necessary. Treat using Lorsban at 0.5 to 1 lb. AI/acre, Asana XL at 0.03 to 0.05 lb. AI/acre, Sevin 80 SP or Sevin XLR at one to 2 lbs. AI/acre. Direct sprays toward the lower part of the plants using 15 to 20 gallons of total spray per acre. FOOD QUALITY PROTECTION ACT - There are always two sides to every debate; perhaps FQPA implementation is bad for human health. According to a Harvard University study, a ban on organophosphates and carbamates could result in 1,000 premature deaths in the U.S. each year. The Harvard study (and others) point out that food risks associated with organophosphate/carbamate residues on food are small to nonexistent. The deaths would be associated with increased food costs and the concomitant reduction in fruits and vegetagbles. (American Farm Bureau News Release, 11-22-99 via Pesticide Broadcast 2-00) GARDENS - Aphids (plant lice) populations are on the increase in our gardens. Aphids give birth to living young and populations build up rapidly. They suck plant juices from underneath leaves and young terminal causing leaves to curl and turn yellow. These insects can build up to very high numbers. They will attack most any plant grown in a garden. Insecticides as malathion or diazinon should control them. Read label restrictions carefully. HOUSEHOLD - Cluster flies which include a variety of flies are emerging from our attics and walls. They may be found buzzing around at windows in homes, especially on sunny days. They pose a temporary nuisance and can be controlled with most any insect aerosol insecticide spray. Crane flies are invading our homes this time of year. They have the general body shape and number of wings (2) as mosquitoes but are generally much larger and are not able to bite. They have long slender legs that are easily broken off and wings with a cloudy appearance. Larvae of most are aquatic and feed on decomposing plant matter or may be predaceous. Adults usually live only a few days and usually don't feed. They are mainly found in damp habitats with abundant vegetation. Control these pests with space sprays containing pyrethrins and peperonyl butoxide. LIVESTOCK - House flies and stable flies are major problems in livestock operations during the summer months. The key to good fly control is manure management. Manure and other rotting organic matter should be removed and disposed of in such a way that flies cannot breed in it. Insecticides can be applied as long residual sprays, short residual aerosols, baits, mists, and as feed-throughs. Check livestock labels for usages and restrictions. MOSQUITOES - According to American Mosquito Control Association, FQPA decisions may help mosquitoes with a major comeback. The current IPM approach to mosquito control works because a number of effective insecticides are available when they are needed. Political and economic decisions driven by FQPA could greatly reduce the pesticides available for mosquito management. (FQPA Spotlight, via Chemically Speaking 2-00) ORNAMENTALS - Gall insects are attacking many of our ornamentals. Best control would be to spray trees in May, June and July at 30-day intervals with an approved insecticide as malathion, diazinon, or Orthene. Once insects are inside galls there is little that can be done for their control. Some stem galls and the dogwood club gall midge can cause injury and stunting; however, most galls are of little or no economic importance. Pruning galls while they are green will help destroy developing insects. Elm leaf beetles are emerging. They have left their overwintering sites and are moving to our elm trees. Females lay their double rows of small lemon-shaped eggs on the expanding foliage. Slug-like yellow larvae are spotted or striped with black and feed about three weeks. A second generation is active in July. Sevin or Orthene will control them. PEACHES - Catfacing insects such as plant bugs and stink bugs will attack peaches any time the fruit is small and tender. Their damage will cause the fruit to be misshaped, deformed, or "catfaced". Control them with Penncap-M, guthion, thiodan, methomyl, Asana XL or Sevin XLR. Read labels carefully. PESTICIDES - According to Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News (3-9-00), the EPA Office of Pesticide Programs is planning a very busy year with the organophosphates. The principal goal is completion of risk assessments for all 39 organophosphates. The Division Director predicted 'many significant actions on individual chemicals', with 'worker risks front and center'. Decisions concerning chlorpyrifos are on the way, and there are indications that there will be 'significant actions' taken on the widely used pesticide. Chlorpyrifos has more than 800 registered uses ranging from agriculture to home uses. Scores of commercial and home-use products have this active ingredient. PESTICIDE SAFETY - As we go into the new spray season, take the time to inspect your equipment and double-check your calibration. (1) Check those nozzles. Make sure they all work and put out an equal amount of pesticide. (2) Check your connections and clamps for leaks and corrosion. Remove and clean the screens and check valves. (3) Field sprayer booms withstand a great deal of stress. Check for cracks or other signs of weakness. (4) Clean the tank, the lines, and any strainers. Check the tank, lines, etc., for cracks and leaks. (5) Make sure the pump is in good working order. Lubricate and replace seals if necessary. (6) Check your sprayer controls, both mechanical and electrical. (7) Finally, take the time to assemble an emergency kit for your sprayer and your mix/load area. It doesn't take long to put together a spill kit or stow an extra pair of gloves on the sprayer in case of a leak. The time you spend now could save you a lot of time and trouble during the season. TICKS - Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose clinically because early symptoms mimic the flu, e.g., fatigue, headache, fever, or swollen glands, pain or stiffness in the neck, muscles or joints. The most definitive early symptom is a gradually expanding, circular or oval-shaped red rash, often (but not always) at the site of the bite. This rash only develops in about 70% of infected individuals, however, and may be overlooked. Persons who experience any of the above symptoms after being bitten by a tick, or after spending time in an area where ticks are abundant, should see a physician immediately. In the earliest stages, Lyme disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics. Symptoms of RMSF (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) are flu-like, accompanied by headaches and a very high fever (104-106 degrees F), two to 12 days after being bitten by a tick. The most characteristic sign of RMSF is a rash that appears on about the second to fifth day on wrists and ankles, later spreading to other parts of the body. When promptly diagnosed, RMSF can be successfully treated with antibiotics. In the absence of treatment, victims may die. TOMATOES - Thrips transmit tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) which is a sporadic problem in Mississippi. The most characteristic symptoms of the virus on tomatoes are rapid browning of young leaves followed by cessation of growth. The youngest leaves will have their undersurface turned up with purpling along the veins of the leaf. The transmission pattern by thrips is very erratic and usually is stopped by hot weather. Cygon, diazinon or malathion may be used for thrips control. Although attempts to control TSWV with insecticides have not been generally successful, spraying with an insecticide to reduce the insect population and pulling up infested plants to remove the source of virus is the most practical way to reduce the impact of the disease. Read labels. WASHING FRUITS & VEGETABLES - Many fresh fruits and vegetables carry a substantial load of microorganisms, sometimes including organisms that cause food poisoning. Research shows that a rinse with 5% acetic acid and 3% hydrogen peroxide removed most bacteria. (IANR, September 1996 via Pesticides Coordinator Report). WATERMELONS - Cucumber beetles (striped and 12-spotted) continue to infest our watermelon fields. Adult beetles are moving into fields and chewing on stems and leaves. They can cause stand reduction. If beetles are present on melon plants, spray with label rates of thiodan, guthion, asana or sevin. Refer to labels for precautions and usages. Tarnished plant bugs are present in weeds surrounding our watermelon fields, and are moving into our watermelon fields. As they feed on blooms and small fruit, abortion of small fruit referred to as "black fruit drop" may occur. When two or more plant bugs/hill are found when two or three male blooms are present, applications of an insecticide may be necessary. A second application may be necessary one week later. Insecticides of choice are Diazinon AG 500 at 0.5 lb. AI/acre or Asana XL at 6 fl. ozs/acre. Make applications after 3:00 p.m. to avoid destroying honeybee populations. Spray to the point of run off. Read labels.   J. Pat Harris Extension Entomologist