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BACKGROUND: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), a new method of application to deliver pesticides, is rapidly being adopted for commercial use in crop protection in East Asia with increasing worldwide interest. Pest control in mature almond orchards with dense foliar canopies presents greater coverage challenges than field crops and smaller orchard or vineyard crops. We investigated the use of an electric hexacopter to provide acceptable spray deposition and canopy penetration to be considered credible for use in an almond pest control program. RESULTS: The performance of the aerial and ground methods at different spray volumes were compared by analyzing spray deposition on water sensitive papers, insecticide residues on filter papers and residues on whole unhulled almonds at three canopy elevations. Overall residue levels of chlorantraniliprole insecticide on whole unhulled almonds across all pooled canopy strata were similar between UAV applied at 46.8 L/ha and 93.5 L/ha and the comparative air blast sprayer treatments applied at 935 L/ha. However, significant interactions between canopy elevation and spray method showed distinct residue patterns between the two application methods. Penetration and spray deposition at the lower canopy were observed and validated for the UAV application. Pest efficacy was evaluated by measuring nut damage at harvest. CONCLUSION: This study presents promising data that support the potential innovative integration of UAV's into crop protection programs for large canopy crops such as almonds and may guide future research for developing relevant label recommendations.

Action thresholds for lepidopterans on fresh market cabbage in New York are proposed. These are based on foliage consumption rates of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hiibner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), imported cabbageworm, Pieris rapae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), and diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), incorporated with actual larval counts of these pests. Once head formation is initiated, cabbage can tolerate ca. 0.5 cabbage looper equivalents per plant before head damage occurs. Larval populations can be permitted to build before head formation, without a loss in weight or marketability, provided they are treated with an effective insecticide at head initiation and treated thereafter at a low threshold. Head weight, rather than cosmetic appearance, is more valid criterion for processing cabbage but was not accurately predicted by larval counts.