Besting The Borer

摘要

ABIOLOGIC AL control agent of a common peach tree pest may be an effective alternative to chemical applications, if USDA entomologists can make it economically worthwhile for large-scale commercial growers. USDA-Agricultural Research Service entomologists at the Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory in Byron, GA, are studying the implementation of entomopathogenic nematodes on the peachtree borer and lesser peachtree borer to determine the optimum level of application and formulation for effective control. "In small field plots, we demonstrated that the nematode Steinernema carpocap-sae can control peachtree borer damage at levels similar to that of recommended chemical insecticide treatments, and that application costs are likely to be highly economical," says USDA-ARS research entomologist David Shapiro-Ilan. "The primary challenge that remains is to determine how best to apply the nematodes at a commercial scale so growers can adopt the practice."