Backpack Mistblower Research Articles

Control of Second-Generation Pine Needle Scale, Burton, 1987

Abstract Scotch pines (1-2 m tall) growing in a Christmas tree plantation in Burton, Ohio, infested with pine needle scale were chosen for evaluating pesticides against scale crawlers. Sprays were applied 21 Jul using a KWH backpack mistblower operating at half throttle on aperture setting 3 for 30 s and delivering 600 ml of finished spray to each of 4 replicate trees/treatment. Conditions were sunny, 34°C, and 6-16 km/h breeze. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated at 13 DAT by removing 5 needle fascicles from each tree. Needles were placed in coin envelopes and transported in a cooler to the laboratory, where mortality was assessed with the aid of a dissecting microscope. Counts were made from all 5 needle fascicles (first 20 nymphs observed on each).

Control of First Generation Crawlers of a Pine Needle Scale on Scotch Pine, Licking County, Ohio, 1985

Abstract Scotch pine (1.5-2 m tall) growing in a Christmas tree plantation were chosen for evaluating efficacy of insecticides against crawlers (5% settled first-stage nymphs). Heavily infested trees were sprayed 30 Apr using a KWH backpack mistblower operating at 0.5 throttle on aperature setting 3 for 30 s to deliver 600 ml of finished spray to each of 4 single-tree replicates/treatment. Conditions were sunny, 24°C, with 8-16 km/h winds. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated 10 May by collecting infested needles from at least 3 locations on each tree. Needles were placed in coin envelopes and transported in a cooler to the laboratory, where viability of the first 100 crawlers observed under a dissecting microscope was determined. Counts were made from at least 3 needle fascicles.

Pine Tortoise Scale Control on Scotch Pine, Carroll County, Ohio, 1986

Abstract Scotch pine (1-2 m high) growing in a Christmas tree plantation were used to evaluate efficacy of selected insecticides against pine tortoise scale. Infested trees were sprayed 25 Apr using a KWH backpack mistblower operating at aperture setting 4 delivering 1200 ml of finished spray/tree. Sprays were applied to each of the 3 single-tree replicates/treatment when scales were mature (4.3 mm diameter). Conditions while spraying were sunny, 23-25°C, with winds at 16-23 km/h. Treatment effectiveness against mature scales was evaluated 9 May by removing 3 infested twigs from each tree and assessing percent mortality with the aid of a dissecting microscope. Residual impact of treatment on crawler establishment was evaluated 23 Jun by removing 5 needle fascicles near the twigs infested with mature scales from each tree and counting the number of live crawlers with the aid of a dissecting microscope.

Spruce Spider Mite Control and Balsam FIR, Coshocton County, Ohio, 1985

Abstract Balsam fir (3-4 m high) growing at the OSUOARDC Pomerene Forestry Research Facility near Coshocton, Ohio, were used to evaluate acaricides against spruce spider mite. Treatments were assigned in a randomized complete block design with 4 single-tree replicates. Treatments were applied with a KWH backpack mistblower operating at 0.5 throttle on aperture setting 4 for 75 s to deliver 1892 ml of finished spray/tree. Applications were made 30 Jul under sunny skies at 30°C and no breeze. Treatments were evaluated 6 Aug by removing 5 branch ends 10-15 cm long from each tree and transporting them in paper bags in an air conditioned vehicle to the laboratory. All samples were processed by passing them through a mite brush 6 times to dislodge mites to a rotating glass plate coated with Tween-20. Dislodged mites were counted with the aid of a binocular dissecting microscope.

Control of Pine Needle Scale on Scotch Pine, Wayne County, Ohio, 1986

Abstract Scotch pine (2-3 m tall) infested with pine needle scale growing in an abandoned Christmas tree plantation were chosen for evaluating efficacy of selected insecticides against scale crawlers. A flag was placed near the highest density of scale for each tree; sprays were applied to that area 6 May, using a KWH backpack mistblower operating at 0.5 throttle on aperture setting 3 for 45 s, delivering 930 ml of finished spray to each of 4 replicate trees/treatment. Conditions were cloudy, 24°C, with 16-32 km/h winds. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated 7, 13, and 28 days posttreatment by removing 5 needle fascicles from at least 3 locations within each sprayed area of each tree. N'eedles were placed in coin envelopes and transported in a cooler to the laboratory, where percent mortality was assessed with the aid of a dissecting microseope.

Evaluating Foliar Sprays for Controlling Birch Leafminers on Birch, Wayne County, Ohio, 1985

Abstract Efficacy of selected insecticides was evaluated against birch leafminer on 4- to 5-m-tall birch trees growing in an experimental plot under standard nursery management conditions at the Ohio State University Agricultural Research and Development Center near Wooster. Sprays were applied to 4 single-tree replicates/treatment using a KWH backpack mistblower operating at 0.5 throttle and aperture setting 4 delivering 950 ml of finished spray to each tree. Trees were sprayed 23 Apr under sunny skies at 18°C with no wind. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated on 8 and 22 May by counting the number of mined leaves for the first 10 leaves from the apex of 4 lateral twigs on each replicate tree.

Evaluation of Insecticides Against Birch Aphid on Birch, Wayne County, Ohio, 1985

Abstract Japanese white birch (5.5 m tall) growing in an experimental birch planting at the Ohio State University Agricultural Research and Development Center near Wooster were chosen for evaluating insecticides against birch aphid. Treatments were applied with a KWH backpack mistblower operating at half-throttle on aperture setting 3 for 50 s to deliver 630 ml of finished material per tree. Each treatment was replicated 3 times; replicates consisted of 2 adjacent trees. Applications were made 29 Aug under partly sunny skies at 18°C and no breeze. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated 2, 6, and 8 days posttreatment by holding a collection tray beneath 4 interdigitating branches between adjacent trees of each replicate ad striking each branch twice. Collections were placed in glass vials; aphids were counted in the laboratory with the aid of a binocular dissecting microscope.

Efficacy of Insecticides Against Eastern Tent Caterpillar on Common Choke Cherry, Wayne County, Ohio, 1986

Abstract Choke cherry, growing along roadsides, having at least 1 active nest of eastern tent caterpillar were used to evaluate insect growth regulators (IGRs). A KWH backpack mistblower operating at 0.5 throttle at aperture setting 3 was used to deliver 600 ml of finished spray to the dominant tent and surrounding foliage in each of 3 single-tree replicates/treatment. The sky was cloudy, temperature was 24°C, and there were gusty winds of 24-32 km/h during application on 7 May when larvae were 15-30 mm long. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated 2, 5, 7, and 14 days posttreatment by visually examining each nest for condition of larvae.

Chemical Control of Fall Webworm, on Crabapple, Wayne County, Ohio, 1985

Abstract Naturally infested crabapples growing on campus at the Ohio State University Agricultural Research and Development Center near Wooster were selected for evaluating efficacy of insecticides against fall webworm caterpillers. A KWH backpack mistblower operating at 0.5 throttle and aperture setting 3 was used to apply 400 ml of spray to the web and surrounding foliage on each of 3 single-web replicates/treatment. Application of sprays occurred 12 Sep under partly sunny skies at 10-13°C with a breeze of 0-5 km/h when larvae were 15-25 mm long. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated 4, 8, and 15 days posttreatment by dismantling and examining the web in each sprayed tree and counting living and dead larvae.

Permethrin deposits and airborne concentrations downwind from a single swath application using a back pack mist blower

Abstract An experiment was conducted during the fall of 1983, in a conifer plantation near Thessalon, Ontario, to assess the downwind deposits and airborne concentrations of permethrin [3‐phenoxybenzyl (±) cis‐, trans‐ 3‐(2,2‐dichloroviny1)‐2,2‐dimethylcyclopropanecar‐boxylate], following application as an emulsion formulation, over a single 100 m spray line at 35 g AI (active ingredient)/ha. The insecticide was collected up to 150 m downwind by using various static collectors and air samplers. Simultaneous measurements of droplet deposition on Kromekote® cards permitted calculation of droplets/cm2 and size spectra. The data indicated that permethrin deposits on all static collectors were greatest within 30 m of the spray swath. Deposits per unit area of the collectors, droplets/cm2 of the sampling cards and airborne concentrations all decreased exponentially with increasing downwind distance. Beyond 30 m downwind, the amounts of the insecticide trapped by various collectors were extremely low, and were b...

Asana As a Control for Redheaded Pine Sawfly on Jack Pine & Red Pine, 1986

Abstract A 4 year old, hand-planted, mixed jack pine/ red pine plantation in central Cheboygan County, MI was used in this test. Trees were approximately 4 ft in height and were planted at a 6 ft by 6 ft spacing. Sawfly larvae appeared to be uniformly distributed across the test block and were fully grown at time of treatment. A total of 5 treatments were randomly assigned to rows of 60 trees each within the test block. A backpack mistblower, calibrated to 29 gal/acre, was used to apply the chemical. A single appUcation of each rate was made during late morning of 15 Jul. Temp at time of treatment was 80 F and wind speed was less than 3 mph. No precipitation was recorded on the day of treatment; 0.07 inches of rain fell on 16 Jul.

Silvicultural Management of Beech and the Beech Bark Disease

Abstract Herbicides were used to control dense, advance reproduction of American beech and sprouting from roots and stumps of harvested beech in a northern hardwood stand in eastern Maine. Beech comprised 51% of the overstory basal area and was highly defective as a result of the beech bark disease. Beech saplings accounted for 80% of the advance reproduction. The herbicides glyphosate (Roundup®) or triclopyr (Garlon 3A®), applied using a backpack mist blower, were effective in reducing advance reproduction of beech by 100% and 93%, respectively. When applied in frills on larger beech six weeks prior to harvesting, glyphosate reduced the number of sprouts, two growing seasons after treatment, by 85%; triclopyr by 87%. Beech individuals believed to be resistant to infestation by the beech scale were left as a component of the residual overstory, along with sugar maple, red maple, yellow birch, and paper birch. The two-stage application of herbicides followed by shelter-wood harvesting is a strategy for managing stands dominated by defective beech. North. J. Appl. For. 3:89-91, Sept. 1986.

Sprays for Control of Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid on Douglas Fir Christmas Trees, 1985

Abstract A total of 16 Douglas fir trees in each of three blocks in a 7-acre Christmas tree plantation in Carbon County, PA, was assigned at random, 4 to each of 3 treatments and to an untreated check. Selected trees were 1.2 to 2-m tall and surrounded on all sides by at least 2 untreated trees. Treatments were applied on 28 Sep using a 5 hp Solo™ Backpack Mistblower; spray was applied until runoff, or ca 1L spray/tree. Weather was clear and rain-free for at least 48 h post spray. Pre- and posttreatment foliage samples were taken 9 Sep, 11, 25 Oct, cooled immediately, and transported to the laboratory. All live and dead 1st stage sistentes on the terminal 20 infested needles on 1 lateral branch in the middle Vb of the tree from each of the 4 cardinal directions were counted within 48 h with the aid of a 20x binocular microscope. Each insect was punctured with a sharp probe; presence of visible body fluids was the criterion for a living insect. Counts from all samples from each tree were pooled for evaluation by analysis of variance using the SASS program; mortality rates were corrected using Abbott’s formula.

Chokecherry, Efficacy of Experimental Insecticides Against Eastern Tent Caterpillar, Carroll Co., OH, 1984

Abstract Experimental insecticides were evaluated for efficacy against late instar eastern tent caterpillars infesting roadside chokecherry. A KWH backpack mistblower operating at 0.5 throttle at aperature setting 3 was used to deliver ca. 300 ml of finished spray to the dominant tent and surrounding foliage in each of 4, single-tree replicates per treatment. The sky was sunny at 27°C with a breeze of 15-25 kph during application on 1 Jun. Treatment effectiveness was assessed on 4 Jun by dismantling the dominant tent in each sprayed tree and counting the number of living and dead caterpillars.

Spruce Spider Mite Control, 1981

Abstract A 1980 study showed that 1.5 oz/gal or 3.0 oz/gal of Safer’s Insecticidal Soap applied by backpack blower or hydraulic sprayer was efficacious for controlling spruce spider mites. The present study was a temporal and spatial replication of the lower application rate (1.5 oz/gal) applied by both backpack mist blower and hydraulic sprayer. Approximately 300 trees at the Mountain Research Station, Waynesville, NC were divided into 6 blocks. Two blocks were randomly selected as controls while the remaining blocks were treated with 1.5 oz/gal of soap and applied with a Solo backpack mist blower. Ten, 5-cm twig samples were taken from the center of each plot and analyzed for eggs, larvae, nymphs and adults of the spruce spider mite. Twig samples were taken before treatment and 1, 2, and 4 wks after treatment. Two 50-tree plots, in Ashe County, NC, were divided into 2 blocks each. Each plot had a treated block and a control block. The treated blocks were sprayed by hydraulic sprayer with 1.5 oz/gal of soap. One, 5-cm twig sample was taken from each tree in all 4 blocks and analyzed for eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults of the spruce spider mite. Twig samples were taken before treatment and 1 and 3 wk after treatment.

Spruce Spider Mite Control, 1980

Abstract A study was conducted in September, 1980 to determine the efficacy of Safer’s Insecticidal Soap for Spruce Mite control at 2 application rates and 2 application modes. Part of a Christmas tree plantation in Ashe County, North Carolina was divided into 5 blocks with 5 Fraser fir trees per block. Block 1 was an untreated control. Blocks 2 and 3 were treated with 1.5 oz/gal of soap. Plot 2 was applied with a Solo backpack mist blower (BP) while plot 3 was applied with a hydraulic (Hyd) sprayer. Blocks 4 and 5 were treated with the 3 oz/gal of soap. Block 4 was applied with the hydraulic sprayer while block 5 was applied with the backpack mist blower. Treatments were analyzed before and immediately after spraying and 2 and 4 wk later by selecting two, 5-cm twigs from each of the 5 trees. Twigs were observed for all life stages of the Spruce Spider Mite.

Taxus, Fletcher Scale Control, Lake Co., Oh, 1984

Abstract Taxus media ‘Hicksi’ (0.3 m tall) growing in 3-gal containers and infested with Lecanium fletcheri were used for evaluating effectiveness of insecticides against established first and second stage scale nymphs. Sprays were applied with a KWH backpack mistblower on aperature setting 4 at half throttle for 30 sec to deliver ca. 930 ml of finished spray to each of 4, single-plant replicates. All plants were tightly sheared, necessitating this volume to approach runoff. Sprays were applied 13 Aug under cloudy skies at 24°C with a breeze gusting to 15-20 kph. Samples were taken 20 Aug by collecting 5 infested twigs from each plant and placing them in separate paper bags, transported under refrigeration to the laboratory. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated by determining viability of all nymphs on 25 infested needles, with the aid of a dissecting microscope.

Green Ash, Oystershell Scale Control, Richland Co., Oh, 1984

Abstract A commercial plantation of green ash (5-8 cm dbh) infested with oystershell scale was chosen for evaluating effectiveness of insecticides against settled first stage nymphs. A KWH backpack mistblower, on aperature setting 3 operating at 0.75 throttle, was used to apply ca. 600 ml of finished spray to each of 4, single-tree replicates on 11 Jun. The sky was sunny at 24°C with a breeze of 8-15 kph during application. Twig sections with current generation scales were collected 29 Jun and transported to the laboratory under refrigeration. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated by counting the number of maturing scales per 0.5 cm2 of bark surface. Only bark areas with current scale infestation were scrutinized during the evaluation.

Gypsy Moth Larval Control Using Carbaryl with Different Sprayers and a Spreader Sticker, Pa, 1984

Abstract White oak trees (7-10 m tall) intermixed with red oaks and red maple were selected in Centre Co., PA on 11 Jun after inspection revealed a moderate population of second to fourth instar larvae were present. Two formulations of carbaryl with and without a spreader sticker (Nu-film 17) were applied using a hydraulic sprayer or a Solo backpack mist blower. The 12 pesticide treatments plus a control were replicated four times in a RCB design. Larval assessment was made using a 1-minute visual count of larvae performed by 1 observer. The pesticides were applied between 09:00 and 12:00 with wind 1-3 mph and temperature 65-70°F. Rainfall data were collected during each count period. Pre-spray counts indicated no differences between blocks. Rainfall totals were: 11-18 Jun (0.5 inch); 18-25 Jun (3.5 inch); 25 Jun-2 Jul (1.2 inch); 2-9 Jul (0.5 inch).

Balsam Twig Aphid Control, 1981

Abstract A study was conducted in April, 1981 to determine the efficacy of insecticidal soap for Balsam Twig Aphid control. Two locations in Ashe County, NC and 1 location in Waynesville, NC were selected as test sites. At each site, 100 Fraser fir trees were sprayed with Safer’s Insecticidal Soap (1.5 oz/gal) using a Solo backpack mist blower. A second block of 100 trees was left as a control. Twenty, 15-cm twig samples were taken from the center of each block before treatment and 1, 2 and 4 wk after treatment. The samples were analyzed for Balsam Twig Aphid eggs and motiles.