Control of Leafminers, Armyworms and Tomato Pinworms on Fresh Market Tomatoes in West-Central Florida, Fall 1991

Abstract

Abstract Transplants were set 5 Sep, 15 inches apart on 8-inch-high beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single 15 ft row with rows on 5 ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design applied with a 2.5 gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 10, 17, 24, 31 Oct, 8, 14, 22 Nov and 11 Dec. The sprayer was operated at 60 psi and delivered 100 gal/acre using a single nozzle fitted with a D-5 disk and #45 core. On 8 Nov, the number of southern armyworm larvae per plot was determined by a whole plant search. On 25 Nov, the numbers of small (<0.5 inch long) and large (≥0.5 inch long Liriomyza spp. leafmines were counted in a 1 minute search of selected treatments. On the same date, the number of leafrolls produced by larvae of the tomato pinworm was counted in a 2 minute search of each plot. Fruit was harvested on 11, 15 Nov, 4 and 13 Dec and the number and weight of undamaged fruit and the number and weight of fruit damaged by noctuid larvae (primarily the southern armyworm) were determined.