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Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, Biochimie, biologie moléculaire, biophysique, Entomology, Entomologie, Parasitology, Parasitologie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Phytopathologie. Zoologie agricole. Protection des cultures et des forets, Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection, Protozoaires. Invertébrés, Protozoa. Invertebrates, Lutte, Control, Angiospermae, Arthropoda, Dicotyledones, Insecta, Invertebrata, Pesticide, Pesticides, Plaguicida, Spermatophyta, Agriculture biologique, Organic agriculture, Agricultura biológica, Botanique, Botany, Botánica, Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera, Cruciferae, Insecticide, Insecticida, Microorganisme, Microorganism, Microorganismo, Phytophage, Phytophagous, Fitófago, Microtheca ochroloma, OMRI, botanicals, microbials, and yellowmargined leaf beetle

BACKGROUND: Yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma, is the most damaging pest of organic crucifer crops in the southern United States. Experiments were conducted over four growing seasons (2007-2010) in Alabama to evaluate some botanical and microbial insecticides approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) against M. ochroloma in organically grown crucifer crops. Insecticides evaluated included PyGanic® (pyrethrum), Aza-Direct® (azadiractin), Entrust® (spinosad), Mycotrol O® (Beauveria bassiana strain GHA) and NOFLY® [Isaria (= Paecilomyces) fumosoroseus strain FE 9901 ]. Two experimental organic formulations, Tick-Ex (Metarhizium anisopliae strain F52) and MBI-203 (Chromobacterium subtsugae), and one non-OMRI-listed formulation, Novodor® (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies tenebrionis), were also evaluated. The insecticides were applied as stand-alone treatments at recommended field rates on a weekly schedule. In 2010, some of the treatments were also evaluated in rotation/alternation with Entrust®. Insecticide efficacy was determined by comparing densities of M. ochroloma larvae and adults and crop damage ratings in treated versus untreated turnip plots. RESULTS: Entrust® consistently performed well in suppressing M. ochroloma adults, larvae and crop damage. PyGanic® was the second best treatment. PyGanic® or NOFLY™ can be applied in rotation with Entrust® for effective management of M. ochroloma. CONCLUSION: Entrust® applied weekly or in alternation with PyGanic® or NOFLY™ provided acceptable control of M. ochroloma in organic crucifer production.

Agronomy, agriculture, phytopathology, Agronomie, agriculture, phytopathologie, Ecology, Ecologie, Entomology, Entomologie, Environment, Environnement, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Invertebres, Invertebrates, Insecta, Arthropoda, Coleoptera, Insecta, Invertebrata, Acceptation, Acceptance, Aceptación, Chrysomelidae, Hôte, Host, Huesped, Lutte antidéprédateur, Pest management, Manejo de plagas, Plante piège, Trap plant, Planta trampa, Préférence, Preference, Preferencia, organic crucifer production, pest management, and trap crop

The yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma Stal (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is an introduced pest of cruciferous crops in the southern United States, and arguably the most damaging pest of organic crucifer vegetable production in the region. Studies were conducted in the greenhouse and laboratory to investigate host finding and acceptance preference of M. ochroloma on four commonly grown cruciferous crops: cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. variety capitata), collards (B. oleracea L. variety acephala), napa cabbage [B. pekinensis (Lour.) ], and turnip (B. rapa L.) First, adult beetles were allowed to choose among the four plants in a multiple-choice greenhouse cage experiment and host preference was evaluated by using three parameters: number of beetles on each plant, number of larvae on each plant, and plant damage ratings. The results showed that M. ochroloma adults actively discriminated among the four host plants, with significantly higher numbers recorded on turnip and napa cabbage than on cabbage or collards. Significantly higher numbers of larvae also were recorded on turnip and napa cabbage starting on day 10. Similarly, higher damage ratings were recorded on turnip and napa cabbage than on the remaining two hosts. Results of four-choice olfactometer experiments, which compared attraction of M. ochroloma to headspace volatiles of the four host plants, demonstrated that host preference is mediated primarily by plant volatiles. Both sexes were significantly more attracted to napa cabbage than to the remaining treatments, with turnip being the second most attractive plant. These results confirm that turnip and napa cabbage are two preferred host plants of M. ochroloma, and may support the development of a trap crop system and attractant-based strategies for managing M. ochroloma in crucifer production.