Integrated Pest Management August 2000 BIOTECHNOLOGY - According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), global acreage planted to genetically engineered (GE) crops is increasing dramatically. Worldwide acreage has increased from 4.2 million acres in 1996 to nearly 100 million acres in 1999, with a 44% increase from 1998 to 1999. Seven GE crops were grown in 1999, including soybean, corn, cotton, canola/rapeseed, potato, squash, and papaya. Soybean and corn accounted for more than 80% of the acreage. Herbicide tolerance was the most commonly desired trait (approx. 70% of the acreage). Insect resistance crops (with the Bacillus thuringiensis gene) accounted for about 20%. Nearly all the remaining acreage was planted to crops with both herbicide tolerance and insect resistance. Virus resistance in potato, squash, and papaya accounted for less than 1% of the acreage planted to GE in 1999. Revenues for GE crops increased from $75 million in 1995 to $235 million in 1996, $670 million in 1997, $1.6 billion in 1998, and more than $2 billion in 1999. For details of the ISAAA report, visit their website, www.isaaa.org (PANUPS, 6-29-00) CATTLE - Adult cattle grub flies attach their eggs to the hairs on the heels of animals. Grubs hatch from the eggs and bore through the skin and begin several months of migration through the animal's body. They cause economic loss in several ways. Cattle grazing habits are disrupted, thus reducing milk flow. Cattle may be injured when they run from flies. Grubs migrating through the animal's body reduce milk production and animal vigor. Grubs also damage the meat and hide of cattle. Be careful when treating for grubs. Use accurate weight estimates to determine the proper dose. Under treating may not provide satisfactory control. At best, over treatment will waste money; at worst, it may cause the animal to become sick. Do not treat calves less than 3 months old or cattle under stress from illness, shipping, castration, dehorning, etc. Grub control may be obtained using systemic insecticides applied as sprays or pour-ons. Control measures should be implemented after adult fly activity ceases, generally July 31, and before grubs reach the gullet area, around the first of October. Do not treat for cattle grubs after October 15. Ivomec (ivermectrin), an injectable treatment, may be obtained through veterinarians. Read labels carefully. DURSBAN - Dow AgroSciences and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reached an agreement that will eventually eliminate all uses of chlorpyrifos (Dursban‰ ) insecticides in and around residential structures. This is the most significant and far-reaching ruling on a household pest control product since the withdrawal of chlordane in the late 1980's. The professional pest control industry will be affected by these changes, but for the most part will have effective alternatives. For termite control, several products containing synthetic pyrethroids as active ingredients (e.g., Dragnet‰ , Prelude‰ , Demon‰ , Talstar‰ ) are available, and two newer products - Premise‰ (imidacloprid) and just-introduced Termidor‰ (fipronil) - are performing well. The most far-ranging effect of the new ruling will be on householders ("do-it-yourselfers"). Chlorpyrifos is the principal active ingredient in hundreds of home pest control products sold over-the-counter in the form of "all-purpose" insect sprays, granules, and flea control collars. Most of the other insecticides widely sold in retail stores contain diazinon (another insecticide under EPA scrutiny), and Sevin which is primarily for outdoor use. A small number of do-it-yourself products, e.g., Spectracide Bug Stop‰ , Ortho Home Defense System‰ , Bayer Advanced Home/Lawn & Garden Insect Killer contain synthetic pyrethroids as active ingredients. You may want to mention these products to householders seeking a spray alternative to Dursban. The growing arsenal of bait formulations (e.g., Combat‰ , Raid‰ , Terro‰ Ant Killer II) generally are materials of choice for cockroach and ant control. CORN & SWEET CORN - Budworms (fall armyworms, corn earworms, and borers), are infesting our late planted corn. Lannate (restricted) or Sevin insecticides applied in the whorl using flood type nozzles and 20 gallons of water per acre should control them. Corn can tolerate a lot of budworm damage. If an average of one budworm per whorl is found, insecticide application should be considered. FLY CONTROL ON HORSES - Many products are registered to control flies (horse flies, stable flies, face flies) on horses. Some are sold as general livestock animal sprays that include beef and dairy cattle, swine, and horses. Others are the specialty products sold primarily to horse owners. Usually both sets of insecticides are based on the same active ingredients. While the product list for horses is very long, the major ingredients are: pyrethrins, often with the synergist piperonyl butoxide, synthetic pyrethroids (permethrin, fenvalerate, cyfluthrin) or organophosphates (coumaphos, dichlorvos, dioxathion). They may be available in sprays, wipe-ons, halter strips, or dusts. The synthetic pyrethroid products tend to have the longest residual activity of the three classes. Read labels. HOUSEHOLD PESTS - This is the time of year we get calls regarding large and frightful insects around parking lots, swimming pools, ponds and homes. Most all of these insects are attracted to lights. Dobson-flies look like prehistoric insects in the adult stage. In the larva stage they live in moving streams of water and are good food for fish. Water scavenger beetles are scavengers in the adult stage and predacious in the larva stage. They are commonly found in ponds and streams. Giant water bugs are found in lakes and ponds where they feed on a number of insects, snails and tadpoles. The adult can inflict a painful bite if mishandled. All of these insects can be a nuisance to people but are also very beneficial to us. We have received spider samples from several counties. Spider control is best accomplished practicing sanitation. Clean away webbing with a broom or vacuum cleaner. Chemical control using a residual spray containing diazinon, malathion, or dursban is effective. Aerosols, mists or fogs containing dichlorvos, pyrethrins or resmethrin are effective where residual sprays are not desirable. House flies are pests in many homes. Sanitation is the first line of defense. Insecticides alone will not completely control these pests. Residual sprays for outdoor use include baygon, dimethoate, dursban, diazinon, or malathion. Fly control inside the home may be done by using synergized pyrethrins or dichlorvos (DDVP) in aerosol or spray form. DDVP resin strips also provide control in enclosed spaces. Observe all restrictions. Small flying insects can be a nuisance in the home. Identification of these pests is very important. Possibilities include foreign grain beetles, stored grain beetles or moths and insects that are attracted to light or enter through open windows or doors. The control alternative may be very different, based on the pest found. Aerosol sprays for control of flying insects will provide quick knockdown of these insects. Treatments are temporary and must be repeated as necessary while the activity persists. Often there is a tendency to over treat in these situations. Excessive use of an insecticide in the home is not warranted nor recommended. HUMAN PESTS - The beginning of a new school year often brings requests for information on head lice. Head louse attaches its eggs to human hair and hatch in about a week. The total life cycle is about 10 days. Severe itching is caused when lice inject an irritating saliva into the skin while feeding. This may lead to secondary infections. If necessary control measures are taken, louse control is not difficult. Shampoos containing approved insecticides are effective and may be purchased at local drug stores. A second treatment in 7 to 10 days is necessary to control lice hatching since the first treatment. If necessary, infestations should be reported to school and public health officials. LAWNS - Fire ant activity has increased. Ants should be easier to control since most are in the upper part of their mounds this time of year. It is very important for everyone to treat, including your neighbors. Effective control this fall means fewer ants will carry over into the winter resulting in fewer next spring. Control them with soil drenches using diazinon, Dursban, Orthene, or Sevin. Bait granules of Award or Amdro may also be used, but have a slower killing action. Continue to treat any new mounds which may occur. May beetles and June beetles are pests of many of our lawns in the form of white grubs. During moderately dry weather, about 7 grubs per square foot may be enough to kill the sod. Check sod for white grubs and apply control measures if needed. Homeowners may use diazinon, dursban or dylox for control. Do not use diazinon on commercial turf or sod farms. Read labels carefully. Wasp and yellow jacket activity is in full swing. Wasps' paper nests usually hang from eaves or other sheltered locations. Yellow jackets build their flat paper nests in the ground, or other hidden locations. Pyrethrin or resmethrin sprays work well when applied directly into the nest. If possible, treat at night to get all wasps and wear protective clothing. LOVEBUGS - These insects are of little importance, but may occur in enormous swarms. Cars driving through such swarms become spotted with these insects. Radiators can become clogged, spotted windshields obscure driver's vision, and if bugs are not cleaned off, they can damage the car's finish. These insects are easy to control around houses with label rates of diazinon, malathion or aerosol sprays for flying insects. Read labels carefully. Screens may be used over radiators for protection. ORNAMENTALS - Tent caterpillars and webworms are feeding on leaves of many of our ornamental trees. They are generally associated with unsightly webs in trees they attack. Good coverage is necessary for control. Small worms are easier to kill than large worms. Label rates of Sevin, malathion or B.t. products will control them. Azalea lacebugs are about 1/8" long with light brown bodies. They prefer evergreen varieties but attack deciduous varieties and mountain laurel. Sap removal by adults and nymphs causes a spotting visible on the upper leaves. In heavy infestations, leaves may be white and drop prematurely. Spots of their tarry excrement build up on the under side of leaves. The lacy wings of the adults have dark brown to black markings. Nymphs are black and spiny. Populations are greatest in mid- to late-summer as the second generation bugs appear. Control with label rates of Malathion, Orthene, or Cygon. PASTURES - Fall armyworms are pests in our permanent pastures. These worms feed on grasses continuously night and day, and move like armies. Scout your fields once a week. If you find 5 to 7 small worms per square foot, control measures should be implemented. Applications of Sevin (80 WP, 50 WP or XLR formulations), malathion, Confirm 2F, methyl parathion (below 3rd instar larvae only) or methomyl (Lannate) may be used for control. Refer to individual product labels for restrictions. Broadcast 10 to 15 gallons of total ground spray per acre. Complete coverage is necessary since all above materials are contact insecticides. Refer to labels for usages and precautions. PESTICIDES - Global climate change could cause dramatic increased in pesticide use. According to an assessment mandated by Congress in 1990, pesticide applications to corn could increase up to 20%, and pesticide use on potato could rise up to 15%. For details, see www.usgcrp.gov and www.med.harvard.edu/chge/resources.html (Pesticide & Tox. Chem. News, 6-15-00) SPIDERS - Researchers suggest that insect toxins from spider venom could be genetically engineered into food plants. The newly discovered poisons are deadly to insects, but reportedly safe for humans and other animals. Spider venom is a combination of proteins; proteins are made based on the spiders' genetic code; there is no reason these genes could not be spliced into the genome of plants or viruses that infect insects. (Nature, via Kansas Pesticide Newsletter, 6-16-00) VEGETABLES - Late planted gardens continue to have problems with stinkbugs, leaf-footed bugs and squash bugs. Continue to use Sevin wettable powder or liquid, thiodan or asana (restricted). They are migrating this time of year from area to area and will require close scouting and more frequent applications. Read labels. It may be necessary to tankmix two families of chemicals to get adequate control.   J. Pat Harris Extension Entomologist