Date: 3/30/99

Time: 4:30

Type: Symposium

Number: 175

Managing insects attacking peppers in the midwest under FQPA

*R. Bessin, Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 50446-0091
Contact e-mail: rbessin@ca.uky.edu

Pest management of insects attacking peppers in the Midwest continues to rely on the use of organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. The key insect pest of peppers throughout this region is the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis. The systemic insecticide Orthene® is the most commonly used insecticide for control of this insect, but its use and that of other organophosphate and carbamate insecticides are currently being reassessed under FQPA. Registered alternatives to these insecticide classes include pyrethroids, Bacillus thuringiensis, and spinosad. While pyrethroid insecticides provide superior control of European corn borer, over reliance can induce severe secondary outbreaks of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, and other aphid species due to natural enemy disruption. Bacillus thuringiensis and spinosad can provide effective control of European corn borer and have little effect on natural enemies, but are more costly and need to be applied more frequently. A loss of the use of Orthene®, or a significant increase in the current seven day preharvest interval, could complicate the management of aphids and significantly increase the cost of Midwestern pepper production. Pest management alternatives to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and the effects of the FQPA on other Midwestern pepper pests including flea beetles, beet armyworm, and corn earworm will be addressed as well.

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