Lygus Bug and Thrips Ecology in Washington State Stonefruit Orchards
Author: D.B.Walsh, M. Bush, R. Wight
Published: 2003
Summary: Objectives: Lygus 1. Compare Lygus sampling techniques for Lygus on the orchard floor. 2. Establish damage thresholds for Lygus on stone fruits in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin. 3. Attempt to fine tune the UC Lygus phenology model to fit eastern Washington Lygus populations. 4. Develop riparian habitats that will not serve as a point source for Lygus infestations. 5. (New for 2003) Evaluate the role of cover crop and orchard floor management on pest and beneficial abundance. Objectives: Thrips 1. Screen candidate compounds for their ability to suppress thrips populations that are infesting stone fruit orchards. Candidate compounds include spinosyns, insect growth regulators, synthetic pyrethroids, and neonicotinyls. 2 Evaluate several sampling techniques to determine thrips abundance. 3 Develop a relationship between thrips feeding and fruit injury. 4 (New for 2003) Evaluate orchard floor insecticide/ herbicide treatments on thrips abundance
