Citrus Cutworm Insecticide Efficacy Trials, 1997

Abstract

Abstract Two insecticide efficacy trials for the control of citrus cutworm were conducted in 1997. In the first experiment, three formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis were tested and compared with a water (check) spray in a commercial block of 32-year-old ‘Washington’ navel orange trees of Exeter Farms, Exeter, California. Applications of MYX 300, MYX 324, and CRYMAX WDG were made on 8 Apr using a Bean hand-sprayer at approximately 300 gpa, 300 psi. In the second experiment, two rates of RH-5992 70 WP and one rate of RH-2485 80WP, each combined with the surfactant Latron CS-7, and a treatment of Spinosad 2SC were compared to a water control spray in a block of 14-yr-old ‘Washington’ navel oranges at the Lindcove Research and Extension Center, Exeter, California. The applications were made on 11 Apr using the same equipment, rate, and pressure as the Exeter Farms test. In both experiments, eight replicated single-tree treatments were used and treatments were assigned on the basis on pre-treatment sampling of larvae. Larvae were collected by placing a canvas beating sheet (112 cm X 75 cm) beneath the outside foliage of the tree and vigorously shaking the foliage 10 times. Citrus cutworm larvae falling on the canvas were counted and recorded, then returned to the foliage. Pre-treatment larval counts involved sampling the Northeast and Southwest corners of the trees at Exeter Farms on 7 Apr and at Lind-cove on 4 Apr. All four tree quadrants were sampled for post-treatment larval counts on 15 Apr and 22 Apr at Exeter Farms; and on 18 Apr and 25 Apr at Lindcove.