Improving integrated pest management in strawberry

Abstract

To increase the efficacy of existing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) measures and explore new and emerging controls for the most damaging strawberry pests whilst maintaining control of spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (SWD), thus enhancing the growth and profitability of the UK strawberry industry. NB: efficacy testing of pesticides for control of strawberry pests is not included as we understand it will be covered in the new IMPRESS project. Objectives 1. Develop effective biological methods for managing western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (WFT), compatible with pesticide use against SWD. 1.1. Improve the reliability of biocontrol of WFT with predatory mites, particularly Amblyseius cucumeris. 1.2. Develop effective approaches to use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) for control of WFT. 1.3. Investigate more effective predators for WFT 2. Refine pest control programmes on strawberry, integrating pesticides with phytoseiid mites. 3. Develop IPM compatible controls for European tarnished plant bug, Lygus rugulipennis, common green capsid, Lygocoris pabulinus, and strawberry blossom weevil, Anthonomus rubi. 4. Improve insecticide control of the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, so as to be more compatible with IPM programmes.

Description

Aim:

To increase the efficacy of existing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) measures and explore new and emerging controls for the most damaging strawberry pests whilst maintaining control of spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, this enhancing the growth and profitability of the UK strawberry industry.