- Author: Elizabeth J Fichtner
- Author: Mel Thayer
- Author: Robert Van Steenwyk
Walnut scale (Figure 1) is an important economic pest of walnuts in California. High populations of walnut scale may affect tree vigor as well as predispose trees to diseases caused by several plant pathogenic fungi and possibly flatheaded borer damage. Historic UC Pest Management Guidelines emphasize the efficacy of insecticide applications at the crawler stage of insect development (late April to mid-May); however, with the introduction of new pest management tools such as insect growth regulators (IGRs), new studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of these products at earlier times during the insect lifecycle. Both walnut scale and frosted scale overwinter as immature nymphs; therefore delayed-dormant application of IGRs has the potential to inhibit maturation and subsequent reproduction of these pests.
In 2023, UC ANR and UC Berkeley researchers initiated a new collaborative study investigating the efficacy of four products applied at various rates and times (Table 1). Two insect growth regulator products, Esteem® (IRAC Group 7C) and Centaur® (IRAC Group 16), were included in the study, with both delayed-dormant (February 8, 2023) and crawler-stage (April 26, 2023) application timings. Centaur® was also investigated at two rates. Crawler-stage applications of Senstar® (a combination of spirotetramat and pyroxifin) and Assail 20SG® (a neonicitinoid) were also included in the study.
Delayed dormant IGR applications inhibit maturation of walnut and frosted scale. Delayed-dormant application of Centaur WD® at either 34.5 oz/acre or 46 oz/acre reduced walnut scale survival by 81% of that of untreated control treatment by April. Both Esteem and Centaur reduced populations of mature frosted scale observed in late April by the over 85% of that on untreated trees (Figure 2).
Crawler populations affected by IGRs and conventional insecticides. All treatments suppressed the rates of crawler emergence over time in comparison to the untreated control (Figure 3); however, delayed dormant applications of both IGR treatments (Centaur® and Esteem®) resulted in the highest suppression of the first-generation curve (Figure 3). Both rates of Centaur® applied during the delayed dormant period resulted in similar suppression of crawler emergence. Crawler stage application of Centaur® at the higher rate resulted in similar levels of crawler suppression as the delayed dormant IGR treatments (Figure 3). Moderate suppression of first-generation crawlers was observed with crawler stage treatments with the low Centaur® rate, Esteem®, and Assail® 30SG (Figure 3). Crawler stage application of Senstar® suppressed first-generation crawler emergence (Figure 3) and resulted in modest suppression (45%) of total crawler populations across the season as compared to the untreated control (Figure 4). All IGR treatments, regardless of the rate or timing, performed similarly with regard to total crawler populations across the season (Figure 4). The range in total crawler suppression across treatments of similar statistical significance was 88.2% (Centaur, 46 oz/acre, delayed dormant) to 54% (Assail, crawler stage), illustrating the variability in crawler counts in the orchard system (Figure 4).
Summary. Delayed dormant applications of either of the insect growth regular products, Centaur® or Esteem®, offer excellent suppression of walnut scale and frosted scale populations. Delayed dormant applications may offer similar efficacy at lower product rates due to the opportunity to achieve better coverage prior to leaf-out. Additionally, delayed dormant applications of these products may inhibit maturation of nymphs into adults, thus limiting sexual reproduction and subsequent laying of eggs.
In prior studies, the efficacy of crawler stage Assail® application became apparent the year following application. Based on this background information, the populations of adult walnut scale will be evaluated across all treatments in April 2024 to fully capture the efficacy of these products over time.
Additionally, future studies are planned to further determine the value of dormant versus delayed dormant applications of IGR treatments for management of walnut scale. The results of the current study, however, do demonstrate a need for updating the current UC IPM guidelines for management of walnut scale. To date, the UC IPM guidelines only recommend crawler-stage applications of IGR products while the current study demonstrates the value of IGR applications earlier in the season.
- Author: Elizabeth J Fichtner
Two UC ANR entomologists, Walter Bentley, IPM Advisor emeritus, and Richard Coviollo, Entomology Advisor retired, assisted with identifying male walnut scale insects while visiting with Elizabeth Fichtner, UCCE Tulare County Orchard Systems Advisor. Richard's work in the 1980s demonstrated that the winged male walnut scale individuals adhere to the double-sided sticky tape traps used to identify the timing of crawler emergence. In 1983, Richard observed that the male walnut scale emerged in late March, a key consideration with the recent advent of dormant and delayed dormant applications of insect growth regulators (IGRs) for management of the pest. Conversations between Walt Bentley, Steve Randall, crop consultant, and Fichtner led to the question of whether these early IGR applications may prevent the maturation of males, thus limiting sexual reproduction and subsequent crawler populations.
Coviollo stepped out of retirement yesterday to look at the archive of sticky tape traps collected throughout the 2023 season in an experiment conducted in collaboration with Bob Van Steenwyk, CE Specialist Emeritus, UC Berkeley. Van Stweenwyk and Fichtner established a trial to evaluate the efficacy of delayed dormant and crawler stage IGR applications with products such as Esteem® and Centaur®. Also included in the trial were crawler stage applications of Senstar® (a combination of an IGR and a lipid biosynthesis inhibitor) and Assail® (a neonicitinoid).
The male walnut scale insects were identified by Coviollo in the traps from late March 2023. Thanks to his expertise and experience, Fichtner can now determine whether the delayed dormant IGR treatments affected the emerged population of males, thus furthering our understanding of how this group of insecticides affects population dynamics of walnut scale.
From a research perspective, this experience emphasizes the value of publishing one's work, regardless of whether it is in peer-reviewed journals or searchable industry reports. One never knows when it may benefit a researcher 40 years later! Additionally, this experience emphasizes the value of the UC ANR system that fosters a sense of community, synergizing the efforts of UC researchers and industry professionals to solve problems affecting our agricultural systems.
- Author: Elizabeth J Fichtner
- Author: Katherine Mae Culumber
- Translator: Charlotte Burks
Usted ha notado que enteros cultivos maduros se han reducido a montones de astillas en solo días? Lo que estás viendo se llama “reciclo de cultivos enteros”, y es un método de facilitar la descomposicion de la tierra y preservar la calidad del aire en el valle central de California.
El paisaje del condado de Tulare ha cambiado dramáticamente por la eliminación de los cultivos. Las nueces que están desapareciendo son especialmente importantes en esta área porque las nueces son los originales cultivos de nueces de Tulare County,con plantaciones o apareciendo en la década del 1930. Varios factores han contribuido a la eliminación de cultivo de nueces en la región, incluyendo un cambio drastico en precios de frutos secos , ()especialmente nueces , y la imposición de regulaciones del uso de agua subterránea. Las economías de producción de nueces han sido impactadas en una manera negativa por disputas de comercio, nuevos competidores internacionales en producción de nueces , huelgas en los puertos, y más recientemente, la calidad pobre de la cosecha de 2022, una consecuencia probablemente de la ola de calor tarde en el verano antes de cosechar. Finalmente, muchas áreas históricas de crecimiento de nueces, referidas como “tierras blancas”, son parte de áreas no cubiertas por distritos de irrigación agricultural, donde la irrigación es creada solo desde sacar agua de la tierra. Regulaciones recientes impuestas en sacar agua subterránea han necesitado la eliminación de cultivos permanentes en parte de estos acres.
Cuando un cultivo ha llegado al fin de la parte de su vida en que es económicamente productiva, productores se encuentran con el trabajo de disponer del biomass de astillas. Históricamente, los árboles se empujaban y quemaban; pero quemar varios árboles daña la calidad del aire en la región. Adicionalmente, quemando inmediatamente suelta cenizas a la tierra llenas de nutrientes y guardaban carbono en el aire como dióxido de carbono, un gas de invernadero. Reciclar enteros cultivos deja que una porción significante del carbono producido en fotosíntesis durante la vida del cultivo sea devuelto a la tierra en lugar de perderlo en el ambiente. Además, los nutrientes guardados dentro de los biomas son gradualmente soltados a la tierra mientras las astillas se descomponen, contribuyendo a las necesidades de los próximos cultivos.
Reciclar enteros cultivos se cumple por cortar los biomas de astillas y extender lo que queda por todo el área del cultivo. Las astillas, aún más pequeñas, se incorporan a la primera capa de tierra, donde la tierra microbial procesa las astillas. Mientras mueren las microbacterias, los nutrientes quedan guardados dentro de los biomas (los cuerpos de millones de bacterias y fungos) y son retornadas a la tierra. Después del reciclaje de cultivos enteros, la tierra se puede dejar en un periodo no reproductivo , o puede ser replantado con cultivos continuos o anuales, dependiendo en el mercado y en cuánta agua hay disponible. Aunque el paisaje local está cambiando dramáticamente, nosotros podemos apreciar que los productores están asegurando que los beneficios de subproductos agrícolas no son perdidos desde el sistema local agronomo, y que podemos esperar observar las futuras fases del uso de la tierra en nuestra región.
foto: Enteros cultivos son reciclados por cortar las astillas biomas e incorporar el prod
ucto de esto a la primera capa de la tierra, un proceso llamado reciclo de cultivo entero.
- Author: Elizabeth J Fichtner
Visalia students at Linwood Elementary were introduced to prunes as a local crop and a nutritious snack during today's “Try it Tuesday” event hosted by teachers, Julie Cates and Bethany Gonzales. Elizabeth Fichtner, UCCE Tulare County Farm Advisor, visited 1st and 6th grade classes with a prepared talk on the culture of prunes followed by a tasting. Students were taught about prune cultivation, harvest technology, and post-harvest processes from transportation to dehydration.
Sixth grade students were paired with their first-grade buddies for a tasting in concert with learning fun facts about the factors contributing to the sweetness of prunes as well as secondary uses of the fruit in the commercial food industry.
Prunes are an important specialty crop in Tulare County valued at over $15.3 million (Tulare County Ag Commissioner Crop Reports, 2021). Currently, Tulare County has just over 2,500 acres of prunes in the ground.
- Author: Elizabeth J Fichtner
- Author: Charlotte Burks
- Author: Mel Thayer
- Author: Robert Van Steenwyk
Walnut scale (Figure 1A) is an important economic pest of walnuts in California. High populations of walnut scale may affect tree vigor as well as predispose trees to diseases caused by several plant pathogenic fungi. Historic UC Pest Management Guidelines emphasize the efficacy of insecticide applications at the delayed dormant (March) stage of plant development or at the early crawler stage (late April-early May) (Figure 1B) of insect development. Both walnut scale and frosted scale overwinter as immature nymphs; therefore dormant application of insect growth regulators (IGRs) has the potential to inhibit maturation and subsequent reproduction of these pests. New research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of dormant IGR treatments for management of walnut and frosted scale.
In 2023, UC ANR and UC Berkeley researchers initiated a new collaborative study investigating the efficacy of four products applied at various rates and times (Table 1). Two insect growth regulator products, Esteem® (IRAC Group 7C) and Centaur® (IRAC Group 16), were included in the study, with both dormant (February 8, 2023) and early crawler-stage (April 26, 2023) application timings. Centaur® was also investigated at two rates. Early crawler-stage applications of Senstar (a combination of spirotetramat and pyroxifin) and Assail 20SG (a neonicitinoid) were also included in the study.
The study will address the impact of dormant IGR applications on populations of viable adult frosted scale and walnut scale in late April, just prior to anticipated walnut scale crawler emergence. Additionally, the influence of all treatments on walnut scale crawler populations will be evaluated. The results from the study will be shared on the UCCE San Joaquin Valley Trees and Vines website (https://www.sjvtandv.com/) and in the UCCE Tulare County's “In a Nutshell newsletter”.
