2nd Place: Novel technology for mating disruption of diamondback moth in southern Virginia

Monday, November 14, 2022

11:18 AM – 11:30 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 212

Presenting Author(s)

Taylore Sydnor

Graduate Student
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Co-Author(s)

Tom P. Kuhar

Professor
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia
Alejandro Del-Pozo

Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist
Virginia Tech
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Co-Author(s)

JW

James Walgenbach

Professor & Extension Entomology Specialist
North Carolina State University
Mills River, North Carolina

Co-Author(s)

AE

Ashley Edwards

Virginia Cooperative Extension
Hillsville, Virginia
BS

Brent Short

Trécé Inc.
Adair, Oklahoma

Diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is a widely known, destructive pest of brassica vegetables around the world. DBM is a difficult pest for growers to manage due to its well-documented insecticide resistance. Mating disruption is an alternative strategy to potentially complement and help reduce reliance on insecticides. It has the potential to be a viable option for managing the challenges of DBM in brassica fields. To evaluate this strategy, we ran experimental trials in 2022 from April to November in Hillsville, Virginia on cabbage. A total of 12 fields were split and randomly assigned into two treatments: 1) mating disruption + grower-standard insecticide program and 2) grower-standard insecticide program only (control). Each field was separated by at least five miles to reduce potential pheromone interference and ranged in size between 10-35 acres. Mating disruption was evenly distributed across each field at a rate of four dispensers per acre. All fields were monitored with nine PHEROCON IC traps to track adult activity throughout the season. Three traps were placed in the inner ½ of each field and spaced a minimum of 50m apart. The remaining six traps were deployed around the perimeter of the fields along unmanaged habitats as a measure of potential external pressure. Fields were scouted for crop damage and larval/pupal presence at 14-d intervals. Experimental trial results, conclusions, and future project directions are to be discussed later.