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Biocontrol
Solutions for Landscapes and Gardens
PO Box 1555, Ventura, CA 93002 800-248-2847 *
805-643-5407 * fax 805-643-6267 questions bugnet@rinconvitova.com orders
orderdesk@rinconvitova.com web
www.rinconvitova.com |
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Biological Urban Pest Management
City dwellers have been
taught by insecticide advertising to hate or fear all insects. The public is
learning to respect the importance of insects in nature. Household purchases of
natural pest controls have increased by 400% since 1989. Families with children
and people who have health problems or chemical sensitivity especially welcome
this safe alternative to toxic chemicals.
Biocontrol Makes Dollars and Sense: Landscape maintenance is moving steadily in the direction of biological
control, mainly because of the high cost of chemical pest control and public
concern for the environment. Park and landscape managers report as much as
50-75% savings in pest control costs when they switch to biological programs.
Employee safety and
liability concerns with sprays are another reason for landscapers to switch to
biocontrol. Better plant vigor may be noted when pesticide stresses on plants
are stopped. Biological control helps to conserve not just beneficial insects,
but also less common birds, reptiles and mammals. City and suburban dwellers
appreciate healthy, natural outdoor sights and sounds.
Managing Beneficials and Habitats: Not all plants get pests at the same time. There are often pest
"hot spots" to target with larger numbers of beneficials or to
spot-treat with least toxic materials. Broad-spectrum and systemic pesticides
destroy the beneficial insect and mite
species. Dust and ants can also interfere with beneficial organisms. Manage
ants by destroying their pathways, pruning branches off the ground, using
sticky barriers or least-toxic baits, and disrupting hills and runs with a
shovel, flood of water or mulching which cause the ants to cannibalize their
young while they rebuild the nest.
Rincon-Vitova Insectaries
provides a variety of beneficial predators and parasites for pest management in
landscapes and gardens.
Green Lacewings: Hardy Predators
Lacewings are among the
most voracious and common general predators. They attack almost any soft-bodied
insect and their eggs. They especially go after aphids, but also attack small
worms, whiteflies, mealybugs, soft scale, leafhopper nymphs, spider mites and
insect and mite eggs.
Two species of lacewing
are available from Rincon-Vitova Insectaries. Chrysoperla carnea can be useful in field and low vegetation and
where pesticide residues may be present, since it is a strain coming from field
crops in California that have been heavily sprayed. Chrysoperla rufilabris from pecan trees in Georgia, tends to
dominate in tree crops, but the larva are fine in any vegetation. In many
diverse gardens and landscapes, a mixture of species may be best.
During a two to three
week larval stage, one lone lacewing can kill 300-400 aphids, 11,000 spider
mites, 3,700 scale crawlers or 6,000 scale eggs. Adults are not predatory, but
with supplies of insect honeydew, floral nectaries or pollen, the adults will
lay eggs near pests to feed the next generation.
Lacewing Release Guidelines:
Effective programs range from two to four releases 7 to 14 days apart at 1,000
or more eggs per 2,500 square feet or from 2,000 to 30,000 eggs per acre or 660
to 5,000 pre-fed larvae or 200 to 500 adults per acre or 100 trees.
Lacewing Conservation Tips:
Minimum releases of larvae in borders of early varieties of insectary refugia
of grasses, corn, sunflower, legumes, oilseed Brassicas, or the California
native perennials, such as ceanothus, kurrajong bottletree, hollyleaf cherry
and soapbark tree, results in large movements of adults into later varieties of
trees, ornamentals and vegetables. Artificial pollen sprays and sticks also
lure lacewings back to the garden.
Packaging Options for Lacewing: In addition to growing various species of lacewing,
Rincon-Vitova customizes its packaging of green lacewing. Loose eggs are
packaged in increments of 5,000 or 10,000 in bags or cups in rice hulls or
vermiculite or no carrier. Loose eggs can be sprinkled or blown into dense
foliage or spooned on tree limbs.
Cards: Rincon-Vitova
offers packaging for lacewing eggs for vines and trees with sparse foliage.
Eggs are glued in units of 5,000 on cards that are perforated into 30 hangable
units averaging a minimum of 170 eggs per unit.
Pre-fed Larvae:
Pre-fed larvae are ready to feed on larger prey and move greater distances in
search of prey. The larvae are kept separate from each other in a cardboard
verticel honeycomb unit with a minimum of 500 larvae. Organdy net is peeled off
so larvae can be tapped or lifted onto foliage.
Lacewing adults are used
for releasing in large trees. By planning releases early, the eggs laid by
released adults are perfectly placed near prey suitable for the larvae. This is
a popular program for aphid control in street trees along with Aphidoletes
releases in settings where they will colonize (see below).
Ladybugs
The convergent lady
beetles (Hippodamia convergens or the
common commercial ladybugs) are very popular for urban pest management,
however, during parts of the year when the beetles are relatively fresh from
the mountain collection sites, they are likely to fly away upon release. The
early spring inventory of lady beetles is often left over from the previous
season's collections. Their fat stores have been depleted in storage and,
though there may be a few dead ladybugs from longer storage, the beetles from
storage are generally more likely to stay in the area, feed, and lay eggs.
Ladybugs are most useful,
when available, on early aphids before it is warm enough to release green
lacewings. Ladybugs can also knock aphids down during the season, especially if
released in cool, cloudy weather. Once the new season's ladybug collections
come on the market, it is often more cost-effective to buy green lacewing
larvae since they will stay put and eat lots of prey before they pupate. One
ladybug per square foot is the release guideline
Aphid Midges
An effective part of
long-term aphid control in urban settings is to colonize the aphid midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza. This aphid
predator overwinters in tree, perennial ornamental and rose garden settings
where there is protection from wind. They will colonize even where it snows.
Re-introduction may not be required for three or four years. Wait after use of
systemics and insecticides which are very harmful to the midges and the naturally
occurring aphid parasites. Water-soluble fertilizer and fungicides that fall on
the soil will not be harmful to midge larvae.
Aphid Midge Release Recommendations: A minimum order of 250 cocoons is enough for most home gardens.
Rose bushes should receive 3-5 midges per bush and apple and shade trees should
receive 5-10 midges per tree in spring when aphids appear or in mid to late
August to reduce overwintering aphid egg populations.
Orius insidiosus, Minute
Pirate Bug, for Thrips
Orius
is a predatory bug that feeds on many species of small, soft-bodied insects,
especially Western flower thrips. All stages of Orius move very quickly. The
adults are good flyers and move efficiently to locate prey. Orius are
generalist predators that consume a variety of pests including mites, aphids,
and small caterpillars. They are most effective for pests with life stages that
inhabit flowers (such as flower thrips). Optimum conditions are temperatures
over 59°
F (15°
C) with relative humidity over 60%. Typical greenhouse temperatures of 64-82° F (18-20° C) and humidity are
suitable for Orius development. Orius are packaged 500 in a bottle with a
carrier of buckwheat hulls. Sprinkle on plants to distribute, as soon as
possible after they arrive.
Predatory Mites
A proven control for
several pests, predatory mites are shipped as adults in a carrier or on bean
leaves and should shipped by overnight service and released immediately. The
best species for aggressiveness against two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) are
Persimilis and Fallacis as long as conditions are not too hot or dry. Other
species are available for a wider range of pests and climate. Here is more
detail about the species that are sold:
Phytoseiulus
persimilis Used in gardens,
greenhouses and landscapes in mild conditions up to 80º F. Persimilis is available in units of 500,
1,000, 2,000 in a bran or vermiculite carrier and 1,500 on bean leaves. They can be combined in units of 1,000 with
other species listed below. Mixtures,
especially with Amblyseius californicus,
increase the likelihood of the presence of predatory mites. Mixing Persimilis
with Fallacis, Occidentalis or Longipes takes advantage of each mite’s
differing habitat preferences within the plants and under changing weather. A
recent study showed that releases of Persimilis and Californicus reduced the
population of the pest T. cinnabarinis
two weeks earlier than either mite released alone.
Galendromus
occidentalis prefers hotter
temperatures and pest mites that aggregate in webbed colonies and is available
in units of 1,000 which can be mixed with P.
longipes.
Amblyseius
fallacis performs best below 70º
F, overwinters and is resistant to Imidan and the miticides and all but one of
the available fungicides except Benlate. Release after the first appearance of
two-spotted spider mite, European red mite, spruce red mite and various other
mites before the pest mite density reaches one per leaf. Very helpful for fall
clean-up to effectively reduce overwintering pest mite populations.
Phytoseiulus
longipes tolerates warmer and
drier conditions and is often combined with A.
californicus when conditions are too warm and/or dry for P. persimilis.
Amblyseius
californicus forages better
than other predators for the mites that do not aggregate at high densities.
Amblyseius
cucumeris is a predator of
immature stages of Western flower thrips and onion thrips and is available in
packets of 1,000 predators or in smaller hanging sachets.
As for more detailed
information on the life cycle and the kinds of programs where these predators
can be used. It is important to apply before the two percent level of
infestation at the rate of one-half to two predators per square foot. Control
of heavy infestations of spider mites is difficult without first knocking pest mites
down. Very leafy trees and planters may require 500 to 2,000 or more of the
predatory mites per tree in weekly or biweekly releases to achieve a predator
to pest ratio of one to 10 that will eventually clean up the infestation.
Rhyzobius lopanthe, Scale Destroying
Beetles
Shipped as adults, the
life cycle is 35 to 60 days and activity occurs at temperatures as low as 40ºF.
A rate of about five beetles per square yard or three to five beetles per plant
or 20 to 40 beetles per scale-infested tree are variously suggested.
"Crypts": Mealybug Destroyers
Two releases two weeks
apart beginning in early spring at the first sign of mealybugs will set them up
for the season. They only overwinter in the warmer coastal regions. Use a rate
of one beetle per square foot of planting or two to five per plant.
Beneficial Nematodes
Beneficial parasitic
nematodes are natural and legal and safe for controlling soil-born pests in the
larval stage. The microscopic infective nematodes enter the larvae and release
a bacteria that eventually kills the host. The nematodes feed on the bacteria
and the decomposed host tissue where they reproduce until numbers drive them
out to find a new host.
Nematodes are effective
against over 250 species of pests. In field crops, they kill caterpillars,
cutworms, grubs, rootworms, wire worms, flies and other pests. Orchard worm
pests, like codling moth, can be attacked in the soil during the winter with
nematodes. Lawn and turf pests, such as white grubs, billbugs and Japanese
beetles are successfully destroyed with nematodes. Generally use Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Hb) for
grubs or beetle larvae. The more cold-hardy species is H. marelatus and the more heat-tolerant is H. indica. Steinernema
carpocapse (Sc) is used for moth larvae, and Steinernema feltiae (Sf) for fly larvae.
Nematode Release Guidelines:
One million nematodes covers an area of 50 to 500 square feet. One hundred
million will cover 1/8 acre to one acre.
Decollate Snail, Predator of the Brown
Garden Snail
Rumina decollata the
predator snail, consumes brown garden snails in the immature stages, but not
full-grown snails or slugs. They are released under irrigated perennials near
moist organic matter. About 100 snails will colonize a yard or about 1,000 per
acre of orchard. They overwinter and colonies can be moved around. They are not
allowed for release outside of Southern California counties.
Trichogramma, Moth Egg Parasite
Trichogramma is an egg
parasite of moth eggs that become caterpillar pests. The tiny wasp must be
released when moths are laying eggs and the scheduling and cost of the program
depends on the number of generations and other factors in the life cycle of the
caterpillar pest. To save shipping costs for small amounts, overnight
cold-packed shipments are held cold and released over two to three weeks.
Lacewing releases are included to assure overlapping generations of predators.
Trichogramma
platneri may be useful against
oak and other worms in landscape and garden settings in Western states of the
US. It helps to be able to anticipate the beginning of moth flight and egg
laying for an effective program.
Trichogramma
pretiosum or Trichogramma mniutum is released normally on a weekly basis
against corn earworm, tomato fruitworm, hornworm, cabbage looper and cabbage
worm and cutworm pests in large garden plantings. Trichogramma brassicae is available for cabbage looper
Trichogramma Release Guidelines: When releases are Trichogramma Release Guidelines: When
releases are started early, releasing about 10,000 to 30,000 Trichogramma per
week for 10 to 12 weeks will control low to moderate infestations. Covering
each generation of the moth pest with regular releases of 12,000 to 50,000
Trichogramma per acre will achieve an acceptable minimum 80% egg parasitization
level in landscape and garden settings.
Whitefly Parasites and Predators
Green lacewing is our
first strategy against whitefly and Delphastus beetles should be colonized on
early infestations. Encarsia and
Eretmocerus wasps in a proactive regular release program can be used for
specific kinds of whitefly. Have whitefly identified before planning parasite
releases. Knock down high levels with insecticidal soap, vacuuming or sticky
trapping.
Fly Parasites and Traps
Small wasps are present
in nature along with predators and microorganisms to control houseflies.
Rincon-Vitova's mixture of fly parasites are among those that are found in
nature to attack several species of flies that breed in accumulations of
decaying organic matter, such as manure, piles of grass clippings and edges of
compost piles. The wasps lay their eggs inside fly pupae and emerge as young
wasps ready to seek and destroy more flies.
Fly parasites complete a
generation every two to four weeks for a steady increase in fly parasites over
the warm summer months. Flies breed faster in hot wet conditions, so extra
releases may be needed then. Wasps need to be released each spring at the first
sign of flies and periodically during the fly season.
Fly Control Guidelines:
A minimum order of 10,000 fly parasites treats a backyard, especially if
fly-breeding areas are cleaned up and a trap is maintained for adult flies.
Rincon-Vitova Insectaries Guarantees Quality and Support: Our insectary has been the pioneering impetus for a growing
biocontrol industry since the late 1950's. With hundreds of landscape managers
and horticulturists in private business and at univer-sities, government and
other research institutions, we have proven to be a reliable, supportive and
quality supplier of beneficial organisms.