High Tunnel Pest Exclusion (HTPE):

A Novel Strategy to Pest Prevention and Control

Ayanava Majumdar (Dr. A)Ext. Entomologist & State SARE Coordinator

251-331-8416, bugdoctor@auburn.edu

William East, Regional Extension Agent, AU

Will Mastin, Local Appetite Growers

Russell and Jewel Bean, S&B Farms

Pest Management Practice Standard (NOP, 7CFR Section 205.206)

Sust

ain

able

IP

M P

ract

ice

s Level 1: Systems-based practices

(cultural practices, sanitation, crop rotation, trap crops)

Level 2: Mechanical and physical practices (Insect Pest Exclusion, Manual Removal)

Level 3: Biorational & other materials(approved insecticides as last resort)

Developing a pest exclusion system:

What do you want to exclude? How long?

Design

Sturdy

Manageable

Material

Low-cost

Longevity

Side-effects?

MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS/LOW COST

Knitted fabric shade cloth: Grainger (IL), Poly-Tex (MN) and Green-Tek

(WI)

30% SC Grainger 40% SC Poly-Tex 50% SC Green-Tek

Good for stopping moths without excluding all

natural enemies!

Knitted shade cloth panel: Farmtek Sunblocker (IA)

Good for stopping moths but reduces natural

enemies.

HTPE lab test with OKRA (2015) Leaffooted bugs (Leptoglossus sp.)

43.3

70.0

56.7

33.3

50.0

33.3

13.3310.00 13.33

0.0 0.0 0.0

Penetration after 8 h Penetrations after 24 h Penetrations after 48 h

10 LFBs per treatment, 3 replications, percent penetration by LFBs is shown here

Ch

eck

Ch

eck

Ch

eck

30

% S

C

30

% S

C

30

% S

C

40

% S

C

40

% S

C

40

% S

C

50

% S

C

50

% S

C

50

% S

C

LFB feeding damage (48 h)

30% woven shade cloth (Grainger)

33-50% penetration by LFBS

40% woven shade cloth (Poly-Tex)

10-13% penetration by LFBs

50% woven shade cloth (Green-Tek)

0% penetration by LFBs

Farmtek Sunblocker stops Leaffooted Bugs!

HTPE lab studies with Sugarcane Aphids (2015)Convergent Lady Beetles (Hippodamia convergens, Arbico)

0 0

32

50

43

52

5

42

35 35

0

8

18

32

Penetration after 8 h Penetration after 24 h

Numbers indicate percent lady beetles crossing into the structure (20 per treatment).Greatest exploratory movement within 24 h release.

Un

mo

dif

ied

tu

nn

el w

ith

Su

per

Lig

ht

Inse

ct

Bar

rier

30

% S

C F

arm

tek

(fin

e o

pen

ing

s)

30

% S

C G

rain

ge

r (w

ide

op

en

ing

s)

40

% S

C F

arm

tek

(fin

e o

pen

ing

s)

40

% S

C P

oly

-Te

x(w

ide

op

en

ing

s)

50

% S

C G

ree

n-T

ek

(wid

e o

pen

ing

s)

50

% S

C F

arm

tek

(fin

e o

pen

ing

s)

HTPE lab studies (2015)Green lacewings (Chrysoperla rufilabris, Arbico)

with sugarcane aphids (host)

18

15

23

5

10

0

10

Penetration after 24 h

Numbers indicate percent lacewings crossing into the structure (20 per treatment).Greatest exploratory movement within 24 h release.

Un

mo

dif

ied

tu

nn

el w

ith

Su

per

Li

ght

Inse

ct B

arri

er

30

% S

C F

arm

tek

(fin

e o

pen

ing

s)

30

% S

C G

rain

ge

r (w

ide

op

en

ing

s)

40

% S

C F

arm

tek

(fin

e o

pen

ing

s)

40

% S

C P

oly

-Te

x

(wid

e o

pen

ing

s)

50

% S

C G

ree

n-T

ek

(wid

e o

pen

ing

s)

50

% S

C F

arm

tek

(fin

e o

pen

ing

s)

MAJOR REDUCTION in Flea Beetle Feeding Injury

(Thomaston, AL, 2013)

Open field (60 to 80% damage to transplants)

Tomato transplants underSuper Light Insect Barrier(60% av. Reduction in feeding)

Insect Netting Applications

Will Mastin, Baldwin County, AL

Seedling net house

High tunnel + shade cloth

High tunnel + shade cloth

BCA and biorationals also incorporated!

Success of Net House

Will Mastin, Baldwin County, AL

>70%pest redn.

90%improvement in quality

Increased profit for

small producers

Crop with netting

Crops with netting

Crop without netting

Crop without netting

S&B Farm, Eufaula

• 40% shade cloth

• 30 x 72 ft, metal frame

• Netting installed on side walls: Sept. 2015

• Crops: Herbs (cilantro, basil, fennel, mint, rosemary etc.), pineapple, marenga

• Major pest problems: Cabbageworms, armyworms, stink bugs, leaffooted bugs

Overall HTPE System Recommendations

• On-farm evaluations will continue at various locations• Think about the crops and target insect pests before designing!• Consider exclusion materials carefully – choose the fabric with

widest opening and least shade• Consider all possible side-effects and develop an action plan:

• Small pests that won’t be excluded• Pollinators• Beneficial insects• Trapped heat/humidity…disease?

Alternative Insecticides (High Rates)Clanton, AL, 2015

Tomato plants with aphids

3025

80

1813

65

18

25

65

1525

73

2320

68

13

30

83

15

33

88

20

40

80

10DAT1 (July 28) 4DAT2 (August 11) 4DAT4 (August 25)

Un

tr. c

he

ck

Gra

nd

evo

3.0

lb

M-P

ed

e2

%

Aze

ra3

2o

z

Pyo

la 8

7o

z

Pyg

anic

18

oz

Variety: Bella Rosa

Safe

r B

ion

ee

m

Myc

otr

ol3

2o

z

Un

tr. c

he

ck

Gra

nd

evo

3.0

lb

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Safe

r B

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ee

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Myc

otr

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2o

zUn

tr. c

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Gra

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evo

3.0

lb

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%

Aze

ra3

2o

z

Pyo

la 8

7o

z

Pyg

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18

oz

Safe

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ee

m

Myc

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2o

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High Tunnel Pest Management Tips• Organic approved i-cides:

– Bt products (Xentari®, Thuricide®)…BCA FRIENDLY!

– Spinosad (Entrust®, Monterey Spinosad®)

– Pyrethrin (Pyganic®, Natural Pyrethrin®)

– Neem with azadirachtin (Molt-X®, Neemix®)…BCA FRIENDLY!

– New products: Azera®, Requeim®, Grandevo®

• Use insecticidal oils carefully (do not use >85F)

• Always rotate insecticides, stop applications when not needed!

• Protect beneficial insects, do augmentative releases.

Extension Resources

www.aces.edu/vegetableipm

www.aces.edu/beginningfarms

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