Excellent Pest Control

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Reynard Warner
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1 Environmentlly friendly, non-chemicl pest control Sugno, J., K.H Wng, J. Uyed, J. Silv, K. Wong, D. Meyer, R. Shimbuku, T. Rdovich, P. Shingki, R. Corrles, S. Migit, L. Nkmur-Tengn nd S.

It serves s non-chemicl, physicl brrier which puts the pest t disdvntge. Building screenhouse does not hve to be costly.

1 1 Environmentlly friendly, non-chemicl pest control Sugno, J., K.H Wng, J. Uyed, J. Silv, K. Wong, D. Meyer, R. Shimbuku, T. Rdovich, P. Shingki, R. Corrles, S. Migit, L. Nkmur-Tengn nd S. Fukud SUMMARY A screenhouse is n effective tool to minimize pest from dmging crops which my result in reduced productivity, crop nd finncil losses. It serves s non-chemicl, physicl brrier which puts the pest t disdvntge. Building screenhouse does not hve to be costly. Construction of screenhouse using home improvement store supplies my help minimize pest popultions, reduce pesticide pplictions nd increse production yields. A return on investment cn be seen within few crop cycles, depending on the crop nd other externl conditions. USDA NRCS offers finncil ssistnce for commercil grde, high tunnels through the Environmentl Qulity Incentives Progrm (EQIP) to growers who qulify for the USDA NRCS conservtion cost shre progrm. Replicted nd observtionl field trils hve shown screen units provide excellent control of griculturl pest such s birds, fruit flies, Chinese rose beetles, Lepidopter (worm type) pests. We re still running field trils to mnge smll insect pest within these systems. Adoption of resistnt vrieties helps to mnge smll insect plnt vectors tht trnsmit plnt viruses. Excellent Pest Control Birds Fruit flies Chinese rose beetles Lepidopter (worm type)

2 BACKGROUND: Vegetble growers expressed interest in the USDA NRCS seson extender or high tunnel systems, but did not know if the benefits outweighed the initil cost shre investment.

In high rinfll res, the plstic covering provides rin protection nd supplementl het which llows growers to extend their growing seson into the winter.

While the polyethylene cover protects the crop from the environmentl effects, the sides of these units re typiclly exposed yer-round, which llows pest nd plnt vectors to dmge crops nd minimize

We modified the sides to include insect exclusion screen (17 mesh) to prevent pest from entering the units.

2 2 BACKGROUND: Vegetble growers expressed interest in the USDA NRCS seson extender or high tunnel systems, but did not know if the benefits outweighed the initil cost shre investment. Prior to 2016, high tunnel systems funded by USDA NRCS, required the purchse nd instlltion of kit type, greenhouse-grde unit with UV resistnt (6 mil) polyethylene covering. In high rinfll res, the plstic covering provides rin protection nd supplementl het which llows growers to extend their growing seson into the winter. However, in mny low rinfll nd hot environmentl res, the mndtory 6 mil polyethylene plstic is not beneficil to the underlying edible crops. While the polyethylene cover protects the crop from the environmentl effects, the sides of these units re typiclly exposed yer-round, which llows pest nd plnt vectors to dmge crops nd minimize crop yields. In 2016, we instlled two Conley Coldfrmes Series 1100 units (Conley s, Montclir, CA) nd the Uth Stte High Wind Tunnel System, with the 6 mil polyethene cover. We modified the sides to include insect exclusion screen (17 mesh) to prevent pest from entering the units. Unfortuntely, the structure nd the plstic of the Uth Stte High Wind Tunnel, Conley 1100 nd other DIY units with the polyethylene coverings, did not hold up ginst the tropicl storms nd high winds tht swept through the stte. USDA NRCS chnged the EQIP criteri in 2017 to llow for screen coverings vs. solely polyethylene. Conley 1100 Uth Stte High Wind Tunnel Conley 1100-Modified Sides Uth Stte High Wind Tunnel- Modified Sides

3 In 2017, we instlled 3 commercil, kit type, high tunnel Conley

All units were modified to be 100% screen, no polyethylene plstic.

with rod pvement nd the screen ws ttched to the structure using

Our do it yourself (DIY) nd commercil hoop house system instlled

3 3 In 2017, we instlled 3 commercil, kit type, high tunnel Conley units in Wimnlo (2) nd Mui (1). All units were modified to be 100% screen, no polyethylene plstic. We reinforced the side pipes for the Conley 1100 nd doubled the cement bse of the foundtion. For the Conley 1000 unit, the rches were secured into the ground with rod pvement nd the screen ws ttched to the structure using wiggle wire. Our do it yourself (DIY) nd commercil hoop house system instlled with screen coverings endured miniml dmge by tropicl storms s ir flows through the units. Nerly ll polyethylene covered houses nd its structures were destroyed during our ssessment period by strong winds.

4 4 MAUI SCREEN FIELD TRIALS: Five field trils were conducted to dte verifying tht screened units provide excellent control of pest such s birds, fruit flies, Chinese rose beetles, nd Lepidopter (worm type pest with high probbility of resistnce issues) pests. In April 2017, we plnted field tril to evlute the control of Lepidopter pests in hed cbbge on Mui. The tril ws conducted in Kul, Mui t the griculturl prk where nturl field popultions of Lepidopter exist in moderte to high levels. We compred hed cbbge grown inside the Conley 1100 (commercil cold frme) unit covered with 17-mesh screen to commercil growers stndrd prctice (outside). Results: Hed Cbbge Tril t Kul Agriculturl Prk Weight (lbs) Figure 1. Averge Mrketble Yield per Hed Averge Dmge Mrketble Yield / Hed Inside Cterpillr Dmge Rting Inside Outside b Outside Figure 1. Mrketble Yield/ Hed Figure 2. Cterpillr dmge rted using modified Kemerit et. l. scle of 0=none, 1=trce to 5%, 2=6 15%, 3=16 35%, 4=36 67%, 5=68 100%. b Field trils in Mui confirmed tht the screened units significntly reduced Lepidopter pest dmge nd reduced the number of pesticide pplictions. However, use of the screen ws not effective in reducing dmge cused by smll insects such s phids, mites, white flies, etc. An economic threshold of 10% ws used for pest popultions which included Lepidopter pest, phids, thrips, etc. When thresholds were surpssed outside of the unit, commercil rottion of crop protection chemicls (Entrust, Belt, Dipel, Psd, Rdint nd Xentri) ws used in ccordnce with Mui s Dimond Bck Moth (DBM) Insecticide Resistnce Progrm. When pest popultions of Lepidopter nd smll insect pest (phids, thrips, etc) exceeded 10% within the unit, orgnic insecticides were used. Entrust ws used for Lepidopter pests. Crymx nd or Dipel were selected s rottionl chemicls for Entrust, but they were not needed due to low Lepidopter pressure. M-Pede (2% v/v) nd Pygnic 5% (17 fl.oz. / cre) were selected nd used for phid control. A totl of 7 crop protection chemicls were used outside of the Conley house in comprison to 3 crop protection chemicl pplictions used within the screened unit. Six conventionl chemicls were used for Lepidopter control outside of the unit compred to 1 Entrust ppliction within the Conley screened structure.

5 SUMMARY: Smll insect pests were ble to move in nd out of the screen nd/or were trnsported into the screened units t trnsplnt.

threshold. Aphids multiply very quickly without the need to mte.

pplictions nd 2) evluting different spry systems to chieve better spry coverge.

5 5 SUMMARY: Smll insect pests were ble to move in nd out of the screen nd/or were trnsported into the screened units t trnsplnt. The use of M-pede nd Pygnics were not suffice to control phid popultions within the screened unit when pest popultions exceeded the economic threshold. Aphids multiply very quickly without the need to mte. We implemented two field trils in 2017 to improve the mngement of phid pest under screen units by 1) incresing the frequency of orgnic insecticide pplictions nd 2) evluting different spry systems to chieve better spry coverge. However, both trils endured problems due to unforeseen environmentl issues. We will continue this work in Aphid Dmge Rting Averge Dmge Inside b Outside Figure 3. Aphid dmge on hed cbbge. Rted using modified Kemerit et. l. scle of 0=none, 1=trce to 5%, 2=6 15%, 3=16 35%, 4=36 67%, 5=68 100%.

6 6 Results: Evlution of Pk Choy Grown Under Two Types of Screen OAHU FIELD TRIALS In Mrch 2017, we plnted replicted field tril to evlute the control on webworm in pk choy on O hu. The tril ws conducted t the Wimnlo Reserch Sttion where nturl field popultions of webworm pests exist in moderte to high levels. We compred pk choy cbbge grown under different screen systems (with hoop for structure) to commonly used orgnic insecticides. In previous field tril using dikon in Wimnlo, we found tht the 17-mesh screen provided improved Lepidopter control over the untreted control (Wong, 2017). The 17-mesh screen lso provided equivlent webworm control to the orgnic insecticides Entrust nd Crymx s well s the conventionlly used insecticide, Corgen. Figure 4. Webworm dmge rted using modified Kemerit et. l. scle of 0=none, 1=trce to 5%, 2=6 15%, 3=16 35%, 4=36 67%, 5=68 100%. In this tril we wnted to see if Mesh 40, finer mesh, would provide similr or improved Lepidopter control s previous field trils. We lso wnted to evlute the impct of this screen on smller pest types such s phids, white flies nd thrips. Mesh 40 is slightly more expensive thn the Mesh 17. We imed to determine if this mesh could minimize smll insect dmge nd provide heightened non-chemicl option for orgnic producers due to its smller mesh size.

7 Seedlings were strted under screen mteril to ensure miniml worms were trnsported into the screen unit. Norml horticulturl prctices were followed for the crop s nutritionl nd irrigtion needs.

Hoops were used to hold the screen systems bove the crop. Screened units received no crop protection chemicl tretments.

5 (10 oz / cre) were selected for this tril nd pplied for 4 weeks. The surfctnt, Ltron 1956 ws used for the first three weeks nd Liberte (penetrting surfctnt) ws used for the lst ppliction.

7 7 Seedlings were strted under screen mteril to ensure miniml worms were trnsported into the screen unit. Norml horticulturl prctices were followed for the crop s nutritionl nd irrigtion needs. We evluted two screen types (mesh 17 nd mesh 40) nd two orgnic chemicls for Lepidopter control. Twelve plnts were plnted within ech tretment. The tretments were replicted 3 times within the re. Hoops were used to hold the screen systems bove the crop. Screened units received no crop protection chemicl tretments. Preventtive weekly sprys were used to control pest popultions outside of the screened units which included Lepidopter pests, thrips nd phids. Entrust SC (6 oz/ cre) nd Neemix 4.5 (10 oz / cre) were selected for this tril nd pplied for 4 weeks. The surfctnt, Ltron 1956 ws used for the first three weeks nd Liberte (penetrting surfctnt) ws used for the lst ppliction. Four pplictions of crop protection chemicls were used to provide comprble control to the different mesh screen systems. Ten plnts were smpled per tretment nd ssessed for pest dmge t hrvest. Insect dmge on pk choy were rted bsed on modified Kemerit et l. scle of 0=none, 1=trce to 5%, 2=6 15%, 3=16 35%, 4=36 67%, 5=68 100%.

8 b b b b Figure 5. Pest dmge rted using modified Kemerit et. l. scle.

thn the control nd comprble to crops grown outside with orgnic insecticides,

Averge number of Bgrd hilris (Burmeister) per hed.

It ws originlly detected in Mrch 2016 nd then went undetected for over yer.

but there were no significnt differences when the dt ws nlyzed. Figure 7A nd 7B.

8 8 b b b b Figure 5. Pest dmge rted using modified Kemerit et. l. scle. Crops grown under the screened unit (17 nd 40 mesh) hd reduced cterpillr dmge thn the control nd comprble to crops grown outside with orgnic insecticides, Entrust nd Neemix 4.5. Figure 6. Averge number of Bgrd hilris (Burmeister) per hed. On Mrch 25, 2017, the Bgrd bug returned to Wimnlo. It ws originlly detected in Mrch 2016 nd then went undetected for over yer. Due to the presence of the Bgrd bug in this tril, we collected dt between the different tretments. For this pest, we shook ech hed nd counted the number of bgrd bugs within ech hed of pk choy. Overll, there were more Bgrd bugs in the control tretment (number of bugs / hed) but there were no significnt differences when the dt ws nlyzed. Figure 7A nd 7B. Aphid nd thrips dmge rted using modified Kemerit t l. scle of 0=none, 1=trce to 5%, 2=6 15%, 3=16 35%, 4=36 67%, 5=68 100%. We found high levels of dmge inside of the screened unit due to smll insects such s phids nd thrips. Neither insecticides (Entrust or Neemix) nor the 17 nd 40-mesh screens could reduce phids nd thrips dmge.

9 Summry of Mesh 17 nd 40 on Pest Mngement Dt from vrious field trils conducted by CTAHR provides evidence tht Mesh 17 & 40 screen significntly reduced Lepidopter pest dmge nd reduced the need for

In mny instnces, insects tht entered the unit were trpped nd popultions incresed (Wng, et. l 2017. Sugno, et.

Pickleworm (Diphni nitidlis) is known to dmge zucchini, kboch sqush, melons nd other cucurbit vegetbles.

Ech yer, fruit flies cuse significnt economic losses tht gretly ffect the profitbility nd sustinbility of mny tropicl vegetble nd fruit crop productions sttewide.

9 9 Summry of Mesh 17 nd 40 on Pest Mngement Dt from vrious field trils conducted by CTAHR provides evidence tht Mesh 17 & 40 screen significntly reduced Lepidopter pest dmge nd reduced the need for weekly pesticide pplictions of Lepidopter type pest. However, there were no dded benefits in using Mesh 40 to reduce dmge cused by smll insects such s phids, mites, white flies, etc. In mny instnces, insects tht entered the unit were trpped nd popultions incresed (Wng, et. l Sugno, et.l, 2017) Evlution of Different Screen Units on Fruit Fly nd Pickleworm Melon fly (Bctrocer cucurbite) nd pickle worm (Diphni nitidlis) re two economiclly importnt pests tht ffect cucurbit production. Pickleworm (Diphni nitidlis) is known to dmge zucchini, kboch sqush, melons nd other cucurbit vegetbles. Pickleworm cterpillrs feed on flower blossoms nd tunnel into fruits leving distinctive round hole. Dmged fruits re not mrketble. Ech yer, fruit flies cuse significnt economic losses tht gretly ffect the profitbility nd sustinbility of mny tropicl vegetble nd fruit crop productions sttewide. Furthermore, with incresed export regultions, tropicl fruits nd vegetbles with fruit fly dmged do not meet the stte nd federl requirements for export to continentl United Sttes (U.S.) nd interntionl mrkets. In the pst, common prctice to combt these pests involved the use of pesticides contining chemicls such s orgnophosphtes, crbmtes, etc. on routine bsis. Trgeted protein bits in combintion with the orgnic insecticide, spinosd, hve replced blnket sprys of insecticides for melon fly control. In consulttion with Dr. Ronld Mu, emeritus extension specilist t UH CTAHR nd review of current literture, we confirmed n insecticide resistnt popultion of melon fly occurred on Ohu beginning in 2008 (Hu, 2011). Biossys conducted by USDA ARS nd Ntionl Tiwn University nd Ntionl Chung Hsing University in 2017 verified ongoing resistnce issues, mking melon fly suppression very difficult in commercil opertions.

10 Zucchini ws grown under four different types of screen mteril with the purpose of

Koon Hui Wng s Lb helped to build the PVC hoop units nd implemented the field tril.

screen) helped to significntly reduce fruit fly nd pickleworm dmge on this fruiting vegetble

Finer screen units did not keep out smll insect pest s originlly hypothesized.

10 10 Zucchini ws grown under four different types of screen mteril with the purpose of obtining non chemicl pest control in Wimnlo, O hu (Wng et l 2017). Grdute students with Dr. Koon Hui Wng s Lb helped to build the PVC hoop units nd implemented the field tril. Overll, field tril dt confirmed the implementtion of screens (17, 40, 70-mesh nd shded screen) helped to significntly reduce fruit fly nd pickleworm dmge on this fruiting vegetble (grph below). Ech type of mesh screen hd set of benefits nd drwbcks. Finer screen units did not keep out smll insect pest s originlly hypothesized. Excerpt of the field dt is below. A copy of the field tril dt cn be found here: cthr.hwii.edu/gs/hndler/getmedi.shx?moid=2972&dt=3&g=12

11 11 Advntges of Screen Systems-Observed Minimizes Chinese Rose Beetle Dmge Minimizes Bird Dmge (Ho, McHugh nd Sugno. 2007)

Averge tempertures outside the unit were 82.8 F. Inside tempertures were lower with pek tempertures t 113.59 F nd the highest light intensity t 21504 lum/feet 2.

12 12 Reduces Light Intensity nd Provides Shde In 2017, Hobo sensors were instlled inside nd outside screened units in Kul, Mui. Temperture nd light intensity my hve plyed fctor on incresed yield nd hed density inside of the screen. Outside tempertures peked t F with the highest light intensity being lum/feet 2. Averge tempertures outside the unit were 82.8 F. Inside tempertures were lower with pek tempertures t F nd the highest light intensity t lum/feet 2. Averge tempertures inside the screen unit ws 81.3 F. In previous field trils conducted over severl growing sesons t the Pomoho Reserch Sttion on O hu we noticed tht certin crops did better under screen thn others. Due to industry s request to identified Romine vrieties tht could be dpted for fresh-cut processing, replicted field trils were instlled to provide shde (30% shde) to selected Romine vrieties during fll nd summer conditions (Sugno, 2011-white pper, Uyed, 2014,). The screen mteril selected for the tril in 2010 ws Mesh 17. It provided prtil shde to the crop nd dditionl screen ws supplemented to provide of 30% shde, overll. Lettuce grows well in cool climtes or during cool sesons. When exposed to high tempertures, lettuce hs tendency to bolt (flower), become bitter in tste, nd form loose heds. Mny of the opertions tht grow lettuce in Hwi i re locted in cooler res such s Kul nd Kmuel or grow in hydroponic/greenhouse systems. Field dt showed higher fresh-weight-per-hed yields outside the shde compred to under shde during fll/spring sesons on O hu. However, contrry to fll production, in summer, there were higher fresh-weight-per-hed yields inside the shde compred to outside. Crop qulity (less blemishes, softness of leves, etc.) were lso elevted under shde. Implictions from this study suggest tht shde ws only needed for summer cultivtion of Romine lettuce on O hu. The use of 30% shde vi screen mteril improved lettuce yields nd crop qulity during the summer months on O hu; however, the yield differences were not significnt.

13 Benefits of Screen Systems Non-Chemicl, Physicl Brrier to Pest Control o Lepidopter (worm type with resistnce issues) o Birds o Fruit flies (resistnce issues) o Chinese rose beetles Do It Yourself

Protect & tret seedlings before they enter the screened units Reduction of light intensity o Sesonl use Summry Screen units re n effective tool to minimize pest from dmging crops which my result in

Screen cn be plced flt on the ground to prevent bird dmge or joined together to cover structure for pest protection. The size of the screen will determine the dimensions of the structure.

13 13 Benefits of Screen Systems Non-Chemicl, Physicl Brrier to Pest Control o Lepidopter (worm type with resistnce issues) o Birds o Fruit flies (resistnce issues) o Chinese rose beetles Do It Yourself or Commercil Kit Systems o USDA NRCS cost shre progrm Reduction of light intensity Limittions of Screen Systems (still working on these res in 2018) Smll Insect Pest Control o Use resistnt vrieties o Protect & tret seedlings before they enter the screened units Reduction of light intensity o Sesonl use Summry Screen units re n effective tool to minimize pest from dmging crops which my result in reduced productivity, crop nd finncil losses. It serves s non-chemicl, physicl brrier which puts the pest t disdvntge. Screen cn be plced flt on the ground to prevent bird dmge or joined together to cover structure for pest protection. The size of the screen will determine the dimensions of the structure. Sewing or greenhouse wiggle wire mteril cn be used to extend the originl dimensions of the screen to cover lrger units. USDA NRCS offers finncil ssistnce for commercil grde, high tunnels through the Environmentl Qulity Incentives Progrm (EQIP) to growers who qulify for the USDA NRCS conservtion cost shre progrm. According to USDA NRCS, forty-two (42) high tunnel units hve been grnted funding under the USDA cost shre progrm in Hwii since 2013 (USDA NRCS, personl communiction). We re still running field trils to mnge smll insect pest within these systems. Adoption of resistnt vrieties helps to mnge smll insects tht enter screened units which trnsmit plnt viruses.

14 14 REFERENCES Ho, McHugh, nd Sugno Fine Mesh Netting Screenhouse for Exclusion of Insect Pests. Report to USDA NRCS. Hsu, J.C. D. S. Hymer, M. Chou, H. Feng, H. Chen, Y. Hung, nd R. F. L. Mu Monitoring Resistnce to Spinosd in the Melon Fly (Bctrocer cucurbite ) in Hwii nd Tiwn. The Scientific World Journl. Vol. 2012, Article ID Sugno, J., J. Uyed, J. Silv, K.H. Wng, P. Shingki, K. Wong, R. Shimbuku, T. Rdovich nd S. Fukud Evlution of Hed Cbbge Grown Under Screen Culture in Mui. White Pper. Sugno, J., J. Uyed, K.H. Wng, A. Ahmd, F. Reppun, T. Rdovich, R. Corrles, nd S. Fukud Evlution of Pk Choy Grown Under Two Types of Screen Mteril. White Pper. Sugno, J., S. Fukud, J. Uyed nd R. Shimbuku Orgnic Insecticide White Pper. Cbbge Webworm Tril with Dikon. Sugno, J., S. Fukud, J. Uyed, K.-H. Wng, nd T. Rdovich Do it yourself ffordble screenhouses. Sustinble nd Orgnic Agriculture Progrm. Hnāi Ai Newsletter. University of Hwii t Māno, College of Tropicl Agriculture nd Humn Resources. V18. Sugno, J., S. Fukud, T. Rdovich, H. Vlenzuel, nd S. Migit Alterntive Growing System for Romine Lettuce Production. White Pper. Uyed, J., J. Sugno, S. Fukud, T. Rdovich, A. Pnt, nd H. Vlenzuel Evlution of Romine Lettuce Vrieties for Commercil Production in Hwi i University of Hwii t Māno, College of Tropicl Agriculture nd Humn Resources. Vegetble nd Root Crop. V-3. Vlenzuel, H., J. Sugno, A. Arkki, T. Rdovich, T. Goo, nd S. Migit Romine Lettuce Vriety Trils in Hwii: Winter, Spring nd Summer Trils. Hni i Newsletter. September November susting/news/rticles/v9-vlenzuel-lettuce.pdf Wng, K.-H., J. Sugno, S. Fukud, J. Uyed, D. Meyer, S. Ching DIY Screenhouse for insect mngement in the Tropics: Prt I. Sustinble nd Orgnic Agriculture Progrm. Hnāi Ai Newsletter. University of Hwii t Māno, College of Tropicl Agriculture nd Humn Resources. HāniʻAi Newsletter 28: Dec, Jn, Feb Wng, K.-H., J. Sugno, S. Fukud, S. Ching, J. Km, J. Uyed nd D. Meyer. DIY Screenhouse for Insect Mngement in the Tropics: Prt II Hoop Houses. Sustinble nd Orgnic Agriculture Progrm. Hnāi Ai Newsletter. University of Hwii t Māno, College of Tropicl Agriculture nd Humn Resources. HāniʻAi Newsletter 28: Dec, Jn, Feb Wong, K., J. Silv, R. Shimbuku, S. Fukud, J. Sugno, K. Wng, J. Uyed, F. Reppun S. Ching, J. Km, nd R. Mu Compring Physicl Brriers nd Orgnic Pesticides for Controlling Cbbge Webworm on Dikon. Sustinble nd Orgnic Agriculture Progrm. Hnāi Ai Newsletter. University of Hwii t Māno, College of Tropicl Agriculture nd Humn Resources. December 2016-Februry V 28.

Progress Report of Lettuce Field Tests in 2010 of Select Insecticides

Progress Report of Lettuce Field Tests in 2010 of Select Insecticides Vonny Brlow University of Cliforni, Agriculturl nd Nturl Resources Blythe, CA Abstrct The projects completed this pst summer sought