Climate change-fueled heat waves reduce the susceptibility of the agricultural pest oblique banded leaf roller (Choristoneura rosaceana) to chemical control

Sunday, November 13, 2022

10:54 AM – 11:06 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 110

Presenting Author(s)

Laura E. McMillan

Postdoctoral Fellow
Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Co-Author(s)

Shelley A. Adamo

Professor
Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
GM

Grace Munro

Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
EF

Emma-Jean Freeman

Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
RE

Russell Easy

Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
Suzanne Blatt

Research Entomologist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada

Controlling agricultural pests is critical for the success and sustainability of food production. However, climate change is increasing the duration and intensity of heat waves. We show that realistic heat wave temperatures change the susceptibility of the oblique banded leaf roller (OBLR, Choristoneura rosaceana), a pest of apple trees, to commonly used control agents (e.g. Confirm, Altacor and Dipel). Data show that exposure to a heat wave increases weight gain and growth rate of OBLR larvae. Control agents applied before or during a heat wave showed greatest effect on larvae. All products showed less effect on OBLR larvae when applied following a heat wave.