PCC MarchApril Final Draft

Diamondback moth larva and adult (photos by Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM.)
Feeding damage in cauliflower (photo by S.K. Dara.)
Adult diamondback moths on the last observation date in treatments
with and without the pheromone (photos by Tamas Zold.)
Continued from Page 32
costs per acre by investing $91 in the
mating disruption. Since DBM can
develop resistance to several chemical
and natural pesticides, eliminating
some applications as a result of mating
disruption also contributes to resistance
management along with potential
negative impact of pesticides on
the environment. Compared to other
mating disruption strategies, a sprayable
formulation compatible with other
agricultural inputs is easier and more
cost-effective to use.
The grower’s yield data showed 762
cartons/acre from the grower standard
block with pesticides alone and 814 cartons/acre
from the block that received
pesticide and pheromone applications.
Although there seems to be a 7% yield
difference, since data from individual
plots could not be collected for statistical
analysis, the impact of DBM mating
disruption on yield improvement is
inconclusive.
This study demonstrated that mating
disruption with CheckMate DBM-F will
significantly enhance the current IPM
practices by reducing pest populations,
contributing to insecticide resistance
management, and reducing pest management
costs. Additional studies with
fewer pesticide applications that allow
larvae to survive and cause some damage
might further help to understand
the role of mating disruption where pest
populations are not managed as effectively
as in this field.
Thanks to the PCA and grower for their
research collaboration, Tamas Zold for
his technical assistance in data collection,
Ingrid Schumann for market research
of pesticide pricing and Suterra for the
financial support.
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34 Progressive Crop Consultant March / April 2021