The Impact of Microbial and Botanical Insecticides on Grape Berry Moths and Their Effects on Secondary Pests and Beneficials

Abstract

According to the European Directive 2009/128/EC and the subsequent provisions activated in member states, conventional pesticides should be progressively replaced by “non-chemical tools and/or measures”. The identification of reliable alternatives to pesticides is crucial to achieve this objective. A European project (PURE) was funded to investigate this topic with reference to annual and perennial crops. In this framework, a number of natural insecticides, in particular microbial and botanical ones (Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, Beauveria bassiana, azadirachtin, pyrethrins and spinosad) were selected to test their effectiveness against grape berry moths, the key pests in most European vineyards. Trials were conducted in 2011 and 2012 in two experimental vineyards located in Italy (Tuscany and Veneto regions), following a randomized block design. Additional investigations were carried out in the Veneto region during 2013. Trial results stressed the high performance of spinosad and B. thuringiensis in controlling berry moth densities and the related damage. The use of B. bassiana mixed with B. thuringiensis did not significantly improve the impact of B. thuringiensis alone. Azadirachtin, and especially pyrethrins, proved to be less effective on berry moths than previous insecticides. The use of selected insecticides caused side-effects on a number of secondary pests, in particular leafhoppers. In 2011, densities of Empoasca vitis were more abundant in spinosad-treated plots probably because of a reduced egg parasitism rate. One year later, population densities of Zygina rhamni were more abundant on spinosad and pyrethrin-treated plots. This trend was confirmed on spinosad-treated plots in the last experimental year. At the same time, spinosad and pyrethrins significantly reduced the predatory mite populations compared to other treatments. The use of these insecticides in viticulture is discussed in the framework of organic viticulture and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Efficacy of Botanical Insecticides Against, Batrachedra amydraula on Phoenix dactylifera at Field Conditions

“…After 2 nd spray the maximum pest population of the insect pest was reduced at 54% after the application of neem oil, 51% neem leaves extract, 34% C. gigantea and 31% C. colocynthis. This is more or less similar to work (Duso et al, 2022), find out the efficacy of B. thuringiensis, spinosad, pyrethrins, azadirachtin, and Beauveria bassiana natural insecticides against the population reduction of Eupoecilia ambiguella, a major key insect pest in vineyards and reported that the B. thuringiensis and spinosad were more effective than other bio-insecticides. After 3 rd spray, the maximum control caused neem leaves extract at 52%, neem oil at 46%, C. colocynthis at 37%, and C. gigantea at 27% against LDM as documented (Ramzi and Biondi, 2021) released parasitoid, biopesticides, and parasitoid + bio-insecticide against the population reduction of Tuta absoluta and detected with positive prevalence.…”

Particle Size Effect of Cyetpyrafen Formulation in the Pesticide Transmission Process and Its Impact on Biological Activity

“…As the detection time extended, the backscattered light intensity of the three parts of the sample tube continuously changed to indicate the uniformity of the particle motion. The variation in the curve was used to determine the changes in the system [17].…”

Integrated Control of Scales on Highbush Blueberry in Poland

“…Spinosad, a bio-insecticide derived from the soil actinomycete Saccharopolyspora spinosa, is considered a valuable bioactive substance to control several pests [46]. It was found to be effective in controlling P. corni in grapes, but only at the beginning of the infestation [47]. Even though spinosad is classified as a substance with reduced environmental and toxicological risk [48,49], its toxicity on several hymenopteran parasitoids has been reviewed recently [50], and it was shown to cause 100% mortality on C. lycimnia, a specific parasitoid of P. corni, just 24 h after the treatment [51].…”

“…Scale populations could remain below the economic threshold thanks to natural biological control, and it is believed that this has been the case for highbush blueberry plantations in Poland in the past, as no major need for their control was raised by producers. However, it could be argued that the need to assure protection against D. suzuki in recent years also in Poland, with increased use of pesticides, might have disrupted the natural control in highbush blueberry orchards, similarly to other cases [47,62], requiring the performance of some control measures against scales.…”