Improving apple IPM by maximizing opportunities for biological control
Author: Vince Jones, Jay Brunner, Tom Unruh, Dave Horton
Published: 2007
Summary: The objectives of this project were: 1. Determine the effects of thinning sprays on natural enemy abundance, diversity, and phenology. 2. Directly estimate predation intensity on codling moth and leafroller survival in different sprayed environments created in Objective 1 and determine which predators are the key sources of LR and CM biological control. 3. Evaluate the biological capacities of two tachinid species, which are the dominant parasitoids of leafrollers and the influence of habitats, season, and insecticides on their behavior and performance. 4. Develop phenology models for key natural enemies and integrate those data and the ranking of natural enemy importance and seasonality into WSU-DAS management recommendations.