Insecticide Susceptibility of Three Species of Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Pests of Grapes

Abstract

Climbing cutworms in the genus Abagrotis are economically important pests of grapes in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia (BC). Grapes are recently introduced into many areas of the region, and the association between crop and pest is new and still evolving. This has led to limited information being available on pest management strategies, including the evaluation of chemical controls compatible with local production practices. Few insecticides are currently registered in Canada for cutworm control on grapes, and our study was initiated to provide information on the efficacy of potential control materials. We were also interested in the relative susceptibilities of the three most common cutworm species attacking grape buds in BC--Abagrotis orbis (Grote), Abagrotis reedi Buckett, and Abagrotis nefascia (Smith). Dose-response bioassays with nine insecticides were conducted on neonate larvae using Bok Choy leaf disks, and on fourth-instar larvae using diet incorporation. There were considerable differences in the toxicity of insecticides within species for neonates and fourth instars. For some materials, the relative toxicity to neonates and fourth instars were not correlated. Response to insecticides among the three species showed variation as well, and correct identification of the species complex present in individual locations is important in choosing the best available control material.

Comparative susceptibility of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) and Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to insecticides

“…The toxicity of an insecticide can be influenced by factors such as food quality, stage of insect development, and genetic variability between populations (ROSE et al, 1988;SMIRLE et al, 2013;BUENO et al, 2017;SILVA et al, 2020). Previous reports in the literature recorded that the variation in tolerance between C. includens and H. armigera populations to flubendiamide was from 11-to 2,464fold.…”

The entomology of vineyards in Canada

“…2009), evaluation of the efficacy of novel insecticides (Smirle et al . 2013), and nonchemical approaches. The presence in spring of Capsella bursa-pastoris (Linnaeus) Medikus, and some other species of the Brassicaceae is correlated with a reduction in cutworm damage to grape buds (Mostafa et al .…”

“…These economically important pests continue to plague grape production in the southern interior of British Columbia and there has been a considerable research effort of late to develop sustainable methods of control. This includes improvements to monitoring and forecasting (Landolt et al 2009), evaluation of the efficacy of novel insecticides (Smirle et al 2013), and nonchemical approaches. The presence in spring of Capsella bursa-pastoris (Linnaeus) Medikus, and some other species of the Brassicaceae is correlated with a reduction in cutworm damage to grape buds (Mostafa et al 2011).…”