Research Update from Activity #18B, February 2021
Evaluation of Compounds for Repellency of the Multicoloured Asian Lady Beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Vineyards
Below is a manuscript detailing the results from CGCN Activity 18B's MALB research, specifically the ability to repellent beetles from vineyards. This manuscript has been submitted & accepted to The Canadian Entomologist journal.
This manuscript was prepared by:
Erik Glemser, University of Guelph
Wendy McFadden-Smith, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
Jean-Philippe Parent, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
ABSTRACT
The multicoloured Asian lady beetle (MALB, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)) has become a pest in North American vineyards during harvest as it adversely affect wine quality. This study evaluated alternative products that may be suitable for use in vineyards as repellents to MALB. Products were screened as repellent for MALB in short-term laboratory trials. Thirteen products significantly reduced the number of MALB on grapes. Products that showed a repellency of ≥50% were evaluated for residual repellency, 48, and 72 h after application. In these trials, pine oil was highly repellent at each testing period, whereas most other products had reduced repellency over time. Eight repellent compounds were evaluated in field trials in commercial vineyards with high MALB populations. The number of MALB on vines was counted 2–6 h and 24–28 h after application. In the field, the most effective repellents overall were Biobenton and Buran, which reduced the number of MALB by 39% and 34%, respectively. The discovery of new repellents of MALB provides an opportunity to improve management of MALB in vineyards and reduce the risk of wine taint without using broad-spectrum insecticides.
READ THE FULL MANUSCRIPT HERE: https://doi.org/10.4039/tce. 2020.82