Onions
Onions, processed by dehydration, are an important crop in the Tulelake Basin of Modoc and Siskiyou counties. Maggots including the onion maggot, Delia antiqua, and the seed corn maggot, Delia platura, are devastating pests of onion. The larvae feed on the germinating seed and establishing seedling and one maggot can kill multiple plants. Crop loss can be as high as 90% in some fields. In recent years, chlorpyrifos, the primary management tool applied in furrow, has not been performing up to grower expectations. Alternative management tools are needed and seed treatments may offer a viable option. The efficacy of seed treatments under Tulelake Basin conditions is being evaluated as well as other aspects of the biology of this pest in CA.
Potatoes
The potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella, is a serious pest of potatoes worldwide. It has been present in southern CA for several decades and management plans, based on research from 1950-1970, are in place. In recent years, this pest has “cropped-up” in the Pacific Northwest potato system and there is a need to design management plans for this area. In addition, the Klamath Basin potato production area of northern CA/southern OR is threatened by this pest (as of yet not found there). Research is being planned that will update the CA management schemes, supplement the Pacific NW activities, and will remain cognizant of the situation in northern CA.
Stored Grain
Grain fumigants are under regulatory pressure in CA and other registered insecticides are losing efficacy due to resistance. Therefore, the need exists for other technology. Working with researchers in Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at UCD, we have been examining the role of a rapid, non-chemical, safe alternative method using infrared heating to eliminate insect pests from storage rough rice. The objective of this project has been to study the effectiveness of infrared heating for disinfestations. Lesser grain borers, Rhizopertha dominica, and Angoumois grain moths, Sitotroga cerealella, two important contaminates of storage rice in CA and other grains world-wide, have been the targets.
Other systems investigated, but no ongoing work at this time
Sugarbeets
Background: Sugarbeet acreage has declined from a peak
of 300,000 acres to about 60,000 now. Numerous insect pests damage sugarbeets
and hinder production. My lab has been responsive to the industry as the insect
pest problems and areas of production have evolved. Several graduate students
have worked on sugarbeets for their thesis project, with projects concentrating
on aphids and aphid-borne virus diseases, beet armyworm, Empoasca leafhopper,
and beet leafhoppers.
Field Corn
Background: Corn acreage is increasing as a result of the need for dairy cattle feed (California is the number 1 dairy state as of recent years). Spider mites are the primary arthropod pest of corn. Growers generally treat once per growing season with an acaricide. Research was done from 2000-2003 to define a sampling protocol and treatment threshold for spider mites on field corn.Sweet Corn
Sweet corn is an important crop in some areas of the state. It is treated several times per growing season for corn earworm. However, with the urbanization in this area, it is getting increasing more difficult to make these treatments with aerial equipment that is generally needed for corn (given the crop height and density). Research was done to search for a more sustainable way of managing this pest. An improved understanding of the pest may allow Bt treatments (or other reduced risk insecticides) to be used. In conjunction with the local Farm Advisors, the seasonal flight patterns of corn earworm was studied with pheromone traps and correlations were made with damage to the crop. Damage was evaluated on two different sweet corn lines.
Celery
Celery is one of the vegetable systems in which I have conducted research. This work was done in the Salinas area. I researched the aphid species commonly infesting celery and worked on developing a sampling plan for aphids in celery. More recently, the possibilities of using induced resistance to aid in management of celery insect pests was studied with an entomology graduate student, fellow departmental faculty member, and UC Farm Advisor.