Control of the Apple Clearwing Moth, Synanthedon myopaeformis, with Tree-Trunk Applications of Reduced-risk Insecticides, Nematodes and Barriers

Authors

  • Gary J.R. Judd Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre - Summerland
  • Karen Bedford Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre - Summerland
  • Joan E. Cossentine Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre - Summerland

Keywords:

Lepidoptera, Sesiidae, clearwing borer, invasive species, apples, Rimon, novaluron, curative sprays, preventative sprays, tree-trunk barriers

Abstract

Apple clearwing moth (ACM), Synanthedonmyopaeformis Borkhausen (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), wasdiscovered in an apple orchard in Cawston, British Columbia in 2005.  This xylophagous, invasive Europeanspecies has become a serious problem in high-density apple orchards wheresize-controlling rootstocks are attacked by the wood-boring larvae.  Seven screening trials with reduced-riskinsecticides for conventional (seven treatments) and organic apple production (threetreatments) were established in two commercial high-density mixed-variety appleplantings in Cawston.  Our objectiveswere (1) to screen several new synthetic insecticides having novel chemistriesthat purportedly have reduced risks, (2) to evaluate use of several organically-approvedspray materials, including nematodes, and (3) to compare the efficacy ofvarious products when applied at different times during the growing season.  Single, hand-gun sprays delivering treatmentsin 2000 L of water ha-1 at 200 psi were applied as curative sprays targeting mature larvae inrootstock-scion graft unions in May and October 2008, and June 2009.  Among seven treatments tested, only theinsect growth regulator, Rimon® 10 EC (10% novaluron), at 2.4 L a.i.ha-1, caused significant reductions in adult emergence compared withuntreated controls in all experiments.  Whenapplied twice as preventativetreatments during flight of male ACM in 2008, Altacor®, Belt®,Delegate™ and Rimon all caused significant reductions in adult emergence thefollowing year; Rimon caused the greatest reduction (-96.4%).  In a similar 2009 trial only Rimon reducedpopulations the following year.  One curative or two preventative applications of the organic materials, Entrust®,Crocker’s Fish Oil®, or Purespray Green Oil™, at anyspray timing, did not control ACM.  The nematode,Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (1×105infective juvenile nematodes / 100 ml of water / tree) provided significant controlof ACM in one spring 2008 trial.  In two 2009nematode-only experiments, a sawdust paste tree-trunk barrier applied over nematodeapplications made either in May or August, caused significant reductions in emergenceof ACM adults.  Curative tree-trunk spraysof Rimon 10 EC at the tested rate are recommended for control of ACM inconventional apple orchards.  There is noeffective organic control for ACM at this time, but tree-trunk barriers andnematodes may warrant further study.

References

Abd Elkader, S., and S. Zaklama. 1971. The chemical control of the apple clearwing Synanthedon myopaeformis Bork. moth (Lepidoptera: Aegeriidae). Agricultural Research Review 49: 71–76.

Alford, D. V. 2007. Pests of fruit crops. Academic Press, Boston and San Diego, USA.

Allen, J. C. 1976. A modified sine wave method for calculating degree days. Environmental Entomology 5: 388–396.

Ateyyat, M. A. 2005. Efficacy of some insecticides against the small red belted clearwing borer, Synanthedon myopaeformis (Borkh.) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), in apple orchards in Jordan, Communications in Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences 70: 759–765.

Ateyyat, M. A. 2006. Effect of three apple rootstocks on the population of the small red-belted clearwing borer, Synanthedon myopaeformis. Journal of Insect Science 6: 40.

Ateyyat, M. A., and T. M. Al-Antary. 2006. Management and within-tree spatial distribution of the small red-belted clearwing borer, Synanthedon myopaeformis (Borkhausen) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), infesting dwarfing apple orchards in southern Jordan. Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia 103: 11–18.

Aurelian, V. M. 2011. Semiochemical-based mass trapping of the apple clearwing moth (Synanthedon myopaeformis (Borkhausen)) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). Master of Science Thesis, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Available online from http://hdl.handle.net/10402/era.27501 [accessed 22 November 2014].

Balázs, K., G. Bujáki, and K. Farkas. 1996. Incorporation of apple clearwing (Synanthedon myopaeformis Bork.) control into the IPM system of apple. Acta Horticulturae 422: 134–139.

Beaton, D. and K. Carter. 2006. Apple clearwing moth (Synanthedon myopaeformis) – a new pest in Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Newsletter. Hort Matters 6(22): 1.

Bergh, J. C., and T. C. Leskey. 2003. Biology, ecology, and management of dogwood borer in eastern apple orchards. The Canadian Entomologist 135: 615–635.

Blaser, C., and P.-J. Charmillot. 1984. A potential pest of our orchards: the apple clearwing moth Synanthedon myopaeformis Borkh. Revue Suisse de Viticulture, d’Arboriculture et de Horticulture 16: 257–260

British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture. 2010. Integrated Fruit Production Guide for Commercial Tree fruit Growers: Interior of British Columbia. British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Victoria, B.C.

Canadian Food Inspection Plant Protection Survey Report. 2006. Available online from http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/forestry/plant-pest-surveillance/eng/ 1344466499681/1411412435436 [accessed 22 November 2014].

Castellari, P. L. 1987. The apple clearwing moth Synanthedon myopaeformis (Borkhausen) (Lepidoptera: Aegeriidae) in apple orchards of Emilia Italy and a method to control it. Bollettino dell'Istituto di Entomologia della Universita degli Studi di Bologna 41: 127–146.

Cossentine, J., V. M. Aurelian, and G. J. R. Judd. 2013. Synanthedon myopaeformis (Borkhausen), apple clearwing moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), pp. 285–291. In P. Mason and D. R. Gillespie (eds.). Biological Control Programmes in Canada 2001–2012. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, United Kingdom.

Cossentine, J. E., G. J. R. Judd, J. D. Bissett, and L. A. Lacey. 2010. Susceptibility of apple clearwing moth larvae, Synanthedon myopaeformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), to Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum. Biocontrol Science and Technology 20: 703–707.

Cottrell, T. E., D. I. Shapiro-Ilan, D. L. Horton, and R. F. Mizell. 2011. Laboratory virulence and orchard efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes against the lesser peachtree borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 104: 47 - 53.

Dickler, V. E. 1976. Zur biologie und Schadwirkung von Synanthedon myopaeformis Brkh. (Lepid., Aegeriidae), einem neuen Schädling in Apfeldichtpflanzungen. Zeitschrift für Angewandte Entomologie 82: 259–266. [English Translation]

Eby, C. D. L. 2012. Visual and olfactory cues used by the apple clearwing moth, Synanthedon myopaeformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), to locate inflorescences of showy milkweed. Master of Pest Management Thesis, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Available online from http://summit.sfu.ca/item/12309 [accessed on 22 November 2014].

Frankenuyzen, A. van. 1979. Bestrijding van de appelglasvlinder. Fruitteelt 69: 257–260. [English Abstract]

Higley, L. G., L. P. Pedigo, and K. R. Ostlie. 1986. DEGDAY: a program for calculating degree-days, and assumptions behind the degree-day approach. Environmental Entomology 15: 999–1016.

Iren, Z., A. Okul, O. Z. Soylu, H. Bulut, and C. Zeki. 1984. Investigations on the adult flight activity and control of the apple clearwing Synanthedon myopaeformis Borkh. (Lepidoptera: Aegeriidae) harmful on apple trees in central Anatolia. Turkish Plant Protection Bulletin 24: 65–74.

Johnson, W. T., and H. H. Lyon. 1991. Insects that feed on trees and shrubs, 2nd edition, Comstock, Ithaca, New York.

Judd, G. J. R. 2008. Seasonal phenology and management of apple clearwing moth: a new insect borer attacking apple trees in British Columbia. B.C. Plant Health Fund Final Report, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture. Available online from http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/phf_final_report.pdf

Judd, G. J. R., and C. Eby. 2014. Spectral discrimination by Synanthedon myopaeformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) when orienting to traps baited with sex pheromone or feeding attractants. The Canadian Entomologist 146: 8–25.

Judd, G. J. R., and M. G. T. Gardiner. 2005. Towards eradication of codling moth in British Columbia by complimentary actions of mating disruption, tree-banding and sterile insect technique: five-year study in organic orchards. Crop Protection 24: 718–733.

Judd, G. J. R., R. Gries, V. M. Aurelian, and G. Gries. 2011. 3Z,13Z-octadecadienyl acetate: sex pheromone of the apple clearwing moth in British Columbia. The Canadian Entomologist 143: 236–244.

Kain, D. P., M. P. Hoffmann, J. Gardner, and A. Agnello. 2010. Physical barriers to prevent dogwood borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) infestation of apple burrknots. Journal of Entomological Science 45: 35–43.

Kain, D., and R. W. Straub. 2001. Status of borers infesting apple burr knots and their management in New York orchards. New York Fruit Quarterly 9: 10–12.

Kutinkova, H. R. Andreev, M. Subchev, G. Szöcs, and M. Tóth. 2006. Seasonal flight dynamics of the apple clearwing moth (Synanthedon myopaeformis Borkh., Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) based on catches in pheromone traps. Journal of Fruit and Ornamental Plant Research 14 (Supplement 3): 39–48.

Kwon, J. J. 2013. Development of a pheromone-based attract and kill formulation with visual cues to target the diurnally active apple clearwing moth, Synanthedon myopaeformis (Borkhausen), (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). Master of Science Thesis, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Available online from http://hdl.handle.net/10402/era.27501 [accessed 22 November 2014].

Lacey, L.A., D. I. Shapiro-Ilan, and G. M. Glenn. 2010. Post-application of anti-desiccant agents improves efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes in formulated host cadavers or aqueous suspension against diapausing codling moth larvae (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Biocontrol Science and Technology 20: 909 - 921.

LaGasa, E., J. Marra, J. Garman, S. Welch, D. MacLean, S. Erbs, E. Lissowski, S. Steinmetz, and D. Brunnsen. 2009. 2008 Washington State Surveys for Apple Clearwing Moth, an Old World Barkfeeding Sesiid New to North America. Washington State Department of Agriculture 2008 Project Report, WA, USA.

Mandour, N. S. 2009. Influence of spinosad on immature and adult stages of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). BioControl 54: 93–102.

Mullinix, K. 2005. Pacific Northwest / Colorado / British Columbia - Regional Report, pp. 24-30. In Proceedings of the third national organic tree fruit research symposium, June 6-8, 2005, Chelan, WA, USA.

Philip, H. 2006. Apple clearwing moth found in B.C. Boreus, Newsletter of the Entomological Society of British Columbia 26: 20.

Potter, D. A., and G. M. Timmons. 1983. Biology and management of clearwing borers in woody plants. Journal of Arboriculture 9(6): 145–150.

Riedl, H., R. W. Weires, A. Seaman, and S. A. Hoying. 1985. Seasonal biology and control of the dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) on clonal apple rootstocks in New York. The Canadian Entomologist 117: 1367–1377.

Sahinoglou, A. J., A. G. Koutroubas, A. A. Peka, and K. A. Giatropoulos. 1999. The phenology of Synanthedon myopaeformis Borkhausen (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) in the region of Larissa, central Greece. Entomologica Hellenica 12: 65–70.

SAS Institute. 2008. JMP User’s Guide, Version 8, SAS Institute, Cary, NC.

Shapiro-Ilan, D.I., T. E. Cottrell, R. F. III Mizell, D. L. Horton, R. W. Behle, and C. A. Dunlap. 2010. Efficacy of Steinernema carpocapsae for control of the lesser peachtree borer, Synanthedon pictipes: improved aboveground suppression with a novel gel application. Biological Control 54: 23–28.

Shaw, P. W. 2010. Susceptibility of the European earwig, Forficula auricularia, to insecticide residues on apple leaves. New Zealand Plant Protection 63: 55–59.

Špatenka, K., O. Gorbunov, Z. Laštůvka, I. Toševski, and Y. Arita. 1999. Sesiidae - clearwing moths, Volume 1. In C. M. Naumann (ed.) Handbook of Palaearctic Macrolepidoptera. Gem Publishing Company, Brightwell, Wallingford, U.K. 569 pp.

Warner, J., and S. Hay. 1985. Observations, monitoring, and control of clearwing borers (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) on apple in central Ontario. The Canadian Entomologist 117: 1471–1478.

Weires, R. 1986. Five years research and experience with control of dogwood borer and related burr knot problems. Compact Fruit Tree 19: 86–89.

Williams, T., J. Valle, and E. Viñuela. 2003. Is the naturally derived insecticide Spinosad® compatible with insect natural enemies. Biocontrol Science and Technology 13: 459–475.

Zar, J. H. 1984. Biostatistical analysis. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, United States of America.

Cover image, JESBC 2015, Vol. 112

Downloads

Published

2016-02-25

Issue

Vol. 112 (2015): Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia

Section

Articles

License

Authors who publish with the Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia agree to the following terms:

-Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

-Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

-Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).