Insect Management in Insect Management in

TomatoTomato

Russell L. GrovesRussell L. Groves

Department of EntomologyDepartment of Entomology

537 Russell Laboratories537 Russell Laboratories

1630 Linden Drive1630 Linden Drive

Madison, WI 53706Madison, WI 53706

groves@entomology.wisc.edugroves@entomology.wisc.edu

North American Farmers‟ North American Farmers‟

Direct Marketing ConventionDirect Marketing ConventionFebruary 18, 2008February 18, 2008

Varied Tomato Insect PestsVaried Tomato Insect Pests

Common PestsCommon Pests

Tomato fruitwormTomato fruitworm

Tomato hornwormTomato hornworm

Potato aphidPotato aphid

Cutworms Cutworms -- armywormsarmyworms

ThripsThrips

Intermittent PestsIntermittent Pests

Flea beetlesFlea beetles

WhitefliesWhiteflies

TwoTwo--spotted spider mitesspotted spider mites

Colorado potato beetleColorado potato beetle

Vegetable leafminerVegetable leafminer

Tomato fruitwormTomato fruitwormTomato hornwormTomato hornworm

Common Tomato Insect PestsCommon Tomato Insect Pests

•• Direct PestsDirect Pests

•• Tomato fruitwormTomato fruitworm

•• Tomato hornwormTomato hornworm

•• Stink bugsStink bugs

•• ThripsThrips

•• Indirect PestsIndirect Pests

•• Flea beetlesFlea beetles

•• ThripsThrips

•• AphidsAphids

•• Spider mitesSpider mites

Western flower thripsWestern flower thrips Potato aphidsPotato aphids

Insect problems are usually minorInsect problems are usually minor

Calendar of Tomato Insect PestsCalendar of Tomato Insect Pests

April May June July Aug Sept Oct

April May June July Aug Sept Oct

Spider mitesSpider mites

Tobacco thripsTobacco thrips

Potato and Green Peach AphidsPotato and Green Peach Aphids

Stink bugsStink bugs

Colorado potato beetleColorado potato beetle

WhitefliesWhiteflies

Flea beetlesFlea beetles

LeafminersLeafminers

Tomato fruitwormTomato fruitworm

ArmywormsArmyworms

Western flower thripsWestern flower thrips

Flea beetlesFlea beetles

CutwormsCutworms

Tomato hornwormTomato hornworm

Phenology of Insect InfestationsPhenology of Insect Infestations

•• Early season Early season –– planting to 1planting to 1stst flowerflower

Flea beetlesFlea beetles

Tobacco thripsTobacco thrips

Potato aphidsPotato aphids

Corn flea beetleCorn flea beetle

Tobacco thripsTobacco thripsPotato aphidsPotato aphids

Flea Beetles as Tomato PestsFlea Beetles as Tomato Pests

AppearanceAppearance

••Small, shiny black beetlesSmall, shiny black beetles

••Hind legs enlarged for jumpingHind legs enlarged for jumping

••Overwinter as adultsOverwinter as adults

••2 generations per year2 generations per year

DamageDamage

••Adults chew small circular holesAdults chew small circular holes

••Can kill small plantsCan kill small plants

••Larvae in soil are not damagingLarvae in soil are not damaging

Flea beetle (several species)Flea beetle (several species)

Flea Beetle ManagementFlea Beetle Management

CulturalCultural

–– Exclude adults with row coverExclude adults with row cover

–– Attract adults to alternate trap Attract adults to alternate trap

crop (Indian mustard)crop (Indian mustard)

–– Avoid early plantingAvoid early planting

BiologicalBiological

–– No effective controlsNo effective controls

ChemicalChemical

–– Spray to control adults (carbaryl, synthetic pyrethroids)Spray to control adults (carbaryl, synthetic pyrethroids)

–– DO NOT disrupt biological controls of other pests (aphids)DO NOT disrupt biological controls of other pests (aphids)

–– Neonicotinoid insecticidesNeonicotinoid insecticides

ThripsThrips

•• 4 narrow, fringed wings4 narrow, fringed wings

•• TubeTube--like mouthpartslike mouthparts

•• Virus vectors (TSWV & INSV)Virus vectors (TSWV & INSV)

Western flower thripsWestern flower thrips

•• Rasping mouthparts puncture plant surfaces.Rasping mouthparts puncture plant surfaces.

•• EggEgg--laying also damages plants.laying also damages plants.

•• Injury appears in streaks rather than spots Injury appears in streaks rather than spots ‘silvering’‘silvering’..

•• Buds fail to open.Buds fail to open.

Thrips DamageThrips Damage

Thrips Damage Thrips Damage –– Virus InfectionVirus Infection

Tomato spotted Tomato spotted

wilt virus (TSWV)wilt virus (TSWV)

Impatiens necroticImpatiens necrotic

spot virus (INSV)spot virus (INSV)

AphidsAphids

•• SoftSoft--bodied insectsbodied insects

•• Wings present or absentWings present or absent

•• Cornicles (tail pipes)Cornicles (tail pipes)

•• HoneydewHoneydew

–– Sooty moldSooty mold

•• May transmit virusesMay transmit viruses

•• Reduces plant vigor, Reduces plant vigor, stunting, malformationstunting, malformation

Aphid MonitoringAphid Monitoring

•• Check as many plants as possibleCheck as many plants as possible

•• Look at terminal buds and lower Look at terminal buds and lower

leaf surfacesleaf surfaces

•• Cast skins, honeydew, & sooty Cast skins, honeydew, & sooty

mold are indications of aphid mold are indications of aphid

infestation.infestation.

•• Yellow sticky traps can monitor Yellow sticky traps can monitor

winged aphidswinged aphids

Aphid ParasitoidsAphid Parasitoids

Aphid IPMAphid IPM

•• SanitationSanitation

–– Remove alternate hosts (weeds)Remove alternate hosts (weeds)

•• Limit the use of quickLimit the use of quick--release fertilizerrelease fertilizer

•• Beneficial InsectsBeneficial Insects

–– Green lacewingsGreen lacewings

–– LadybeetlesLadybeetles

–– Parasitic waspsParasitic wasps

Aphid Chemical ControlAphid Chemical Control

•• Rotate chemicals every 2Rotate chemicals every 2--3 applications to 3 applications to prevent insecticide resistanceprevent insecticide resistance

•• Organophosphate resistance commonOrganophosphate resistance common

AdmirePro / MarathonAdmirePro / Marathon -- drench betterdrench better

Fulfill / EndeavorFulfill / Endeavor -- slow killslow kill--but stop feeding fastbut stop feeding fast

MethamidophosMethamidophos

Orthene, TalstarOrthene, Talstar, , AzatinAzatin, , AvidAvid, ,

Beauvaria bassiana (Botanigard)Beauvaria bassiana (Botanigard)

NeoNeo--nicotinoid Insecticides for nicotinoid Insecticides for

Early Early ––Season Insect ControlSeason Insect Control

Beneficial Attributes

Broad spectrumBroad spectrum

Flea beetles, thrips, aphidsFlea beetles, thrips, aphids

FlexibleFlexible

Furrow, seed, laybyFurrow, seed, layby

Long residualLong residual

Rate dependantRate dependant

Excessive rain may impactExcessive rain may impact

Low toxicityLow toxicity

“Healthy Grown”“Healthy Grown”

Disadvantages

Same chemical class (Group 4 MoA)Same chemical class (Group 4 MoA)

Resistance likelyResistance likely

Relative Efficacy of Relative Efficacy of

NeoNeo--nicotinoidsnicotinoids

Soil appliedSoil applied Foliar appliedFoliar applied

InsectInsect AdmireAdmire PlatinumPlatinum ProvadoProvado AssailAssail

Flea beetleFlea beetle ++++++ ++++++ ++++++ ++++++

Thrips (foliar)Thrips (foliar) ++++++ ++++++ ++ ++

AphidsAphids ++++++ ++++++ ++++++ ++++++

WhitefliesWhiteflies ++++++ ++++++ ++ ++++

Potato beetlePotato beetle ++++++ ++++++ ++++++ ++++++

Tomato Fruitworm (corn earworm, Tomato Fruitworm (corn earworm,

cotton bollworm)cotton bollworm)

AdultAdult

•• Does not overwinterDoes not overwinter

•• Adults migrate from the south Adults migrate from the south

•• 2 generations / year2 generations / year

EggsEggs

•• Laid singly on leavesLaid singly on leaves

•• Hatch in 5Hatch in 5--7 days7 days

•• Feed externally on leaf and then bore Feed externally on leaf and then bore

into fruitinto fruit

LarvaeLarvae

•• Develop inside fruitDevelop inside fruit

•• Brownish or green in color (morphs)Brownish or green in color (morphs)

EggEgg

OccurrenceOccurrence

•• 22ndnd generation only generation only –– Aug/SeptAug/Sept

DamageDamage

•• Small larvae feed on leavesSmall larvae feed on leaves

•• Larger bore into fruitLarger bore into fruit

•• Develop internallyDevelop internally

•• Infested fruit may color early or rotInfested fruit may color early or rot

•• Major pest in CA and FLMajor pest in CA and FL

Tomato Fruitworm DamageTomato Fruitworm Damage

Early larvaEarly larva

Late larvaLate larva

Tomato Fruitworm ControlTomato Fruitworm Control

CulturalCultural

–– Plant early: avoidance in timePlant early: avoidance in time

–– Discard infested fruitDiscard infested fruit

BiologicalBiological

–– Effective parasitesEffective parasites

–– But will not prevent damageBut will not prevent damage

ChemicalChemical

–– Rarely necessaryRarely necessary

–– Disrupts natural control of other Disrupts natural control of other

pest (leaf miner, aphid)pest (leaf miner, aphid)

„Hartstack‟ Pheromone trap„Hartstack‟ Pheromone trap

Insect Migration Risk ForecastInsect Migration Risk Forecast

Northern Illinois UniversityNorthern Illinois University

Fruitworm InsecticidesFruitworm Insecticides

PyrethroidsPyrethroids OthersOthers

AsanaAsana AvauntAvaunt

BaythroidBaythroid ProclaimProclaim

Capture / BrigadeCapture / Brigade SpinTor,SpinTor, EntrustEntrust

DanitolDanitol Bacillus thuringiensisBacillus thuringiensis

Mustang MaxMustang Max (Dipel, Javelin)(Dipel, Javelin)

WarriorWarrior

Pyganic, EvergreenPyganic, Evergreen

AlverdeAlverdeTMTM (metaflumizone: BAS(metaflumizone: BAS--320):320):

Sodium channel blocker (MoA Group 22)Sodium channel blocker (MoA Group 22)

AltacorAltacorTMTM (rynaxypyr: DPX(rynaxypyr: DPX--E2Y45)E2Y45)

Anthranilic diamide (chitin inhibitor: MoA group 28)Anthranilic diamide (chitin inhibitor: MoA group 28)

New registrations in 2008:New registrations in 2008:

Considerations when Choosing an Considerations when Choosing an

Insecticide for Fruitworm ControlInsecticide for Fruitworm Control

•• Other insects presentOther insects present

–– Stink bugStink bug

–– ArmywormsArmyworms

•• Effect of Insecticides on potential pestsEffect of Insecticides on potential pests

–– Twospotted spider miteTwospotted spider mite

•• Preharvest Interval (PHI)Preharvest Interval (PHI)

AdultAdult•• Large Hawk mothLarge Hawk moth

•• Resembles hummingbirdResembles hummingbird

•• Sips flower nectarSips flower nectar

EggsEggs•• Eggs large, roundEggs large, round

•• Laid on leavesLaid on leaves

•• Parasites and predators commonParasites and predators common

LarvaeLarvae•• Green with „reddish‟ hornGreen with „reddish‟ horn

•• Up to 2Up to 2--3”3”

PupaePupae•• Brown with a “handle”Brown with a “handle”

•• In soilIn soil

Tomato Hornworm

Life Cycle

AdultAdult

PupaPupa

EggEgg

LarvaLarva

Tomato hornworm: Damage & ControlTomato hornworm: Damage & Control

OccurrenceOccurrence•• Overwinters as pupaOverwinters as pupa

•• Large hawk moths emergeLarge hawk moths emerge

•• 2 generations per year2 generations per year

DamageDamage•• Larvae consume lots of foliageLarvae consume lots of foliage

•• Occasional fruit feedingOccasional fruit feeding

ControlControl

Cultural:Cultural: Remove larvae and squash!Remove larvae and squash!

Biological:Biological: Usually very effectiveUsually very effective

–– Both predators (eggs) Both predators (eggs)

and parasites (larvae)and parasites (larvae)

ChemicalChemical

–– Avoid use if possibleAvoid use if possible

–– Bacillus thuringiensisBacillus thuringiensis is effectiveis effective

Tomato leafminer (Tomato leafminer (LiriomyzaLiriomyza spp.)spp.)

OccurrenceOccurrence

•• Rarely damaging in WisconsinRarely damaging in Wisconsin

•• Biologically controlledBiologically controlled

•• Avoid insecticide disruptionAvoid insecticide disruption

•• Major secondary pest in CA Major secondary pest in CA

and FLand FL

ControlControl

Remove infested leavesRemove infested leaves

Biologicals (wasps)Biologicals (wasps)

Insecticides: Insecticides: Trigard, AgriTrigard, Agri--MekMek

Resistance!Resistance!

Greenhouse and Silverleaf WhiteflyGreenhouse and Silverleaf Whitefly

OccurrenceOccurrence

•• Overwinters only in protected Overwinters only in protected

areas or greenhousesareas or greenhouses

•• Multiple generationsMultiple generations

DamageDamage

•• Usually not a problem in WIUsually not a problem in WI

•• Honeydew, sooty mold on fruitHoneydew, sooty mold on fruit

•• Serious virus vector in FL and CASerious virus vector in FL and CA

SilverleafSilverleaf

WhiteflyWhitefly

GreenhouseGreenhouse

WhiteflyWhitefly

Whitefly controlWhitefly control

CulturalCultural

–– Only use clean transplantsOnly use clean transplants

–– Crop free periodsCrop free periods

BiologicalBiological

–– Effective controls not Effective controls not

always abundant in always abundant in

WisconsinWisconsin

ChemicalChemical

–– NeoNeo--nicotinoidsnicotinoids

–– Insect Growth Regulators Insect Growth Regulators

(Courier, Knack)(Courier, Knack)

BigBig--eyed bugeyed bug

Minute Minute

pirate bugpirate bug

ConclusionsConclusions

•• Preplant or at planting use of Admire or Preplant or at planting use of Admire or

Platinum will control key insect pests to Platinum will control key insect pests to

flowering/first fruit set.flowering/first fruit set.

•• Insecticide selection decision after first Insecticide selection decision after first

flowerflower

– Fruitworm control is paramount

– Early detection of cutworm, armyworm,

whitefly, stinkbug and two-spotted spider

mites are also important to adjust pesticide

program to avoid/cure problem.

Thank You, Thank You,

Questions, Questions,

andand

Always…Always…Read and Follow Label

Directions!

Pesticide Labels Change Frequently!Pesticide Labels Change Frequently!