Biological Control and IPM in Strawberry Fields—Current Status and Future of IPM in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

For integrated pest management（IPM）of strawberries in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, combinations of applications of Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, Neoseiulus californicus（McGregor）, spiracle-blocking insecticides, fumigation using a high concentration of carbon dioxide, and an increase in UV-B radiation using a reflective sheet are currently in use for the control of spider mites. Efforts are underway to improve and expand on these methods. For the control of aphids, application of two natural enemies, Aphidius colemani Viereck and Ephedrus nacheri Quilis, in conjunction with banker plant system is highly effective, and their use is expected to increase over the next few years. For the control of thrips, application of selective pesticide at the initial time of their occurrence after installing red insect-proof nets（mesh size 0.8×0.8 mm）around the opening of the greenhouse is currently used. The possibility of using natural enemies against thrips, such as Haplothrips brevitubus（Karny）, Amblydromalus limonicus（Garman et McGregor）, and Amblyseius cucumeris（Oudemans）, needs further study. For the control of whiteflies, a tape formulation of pyriproxyfen and spiracle-blocking insecticides, as used in the control of spider mites, can maintain populations at a low density. Although there are difficulties in the use of entomopathogenic fungi and indigenous natural enemies due to the cold climate, we need to further examine their efficacity as IPM.