Maggot Control Research Articles

Efficacy of conventional and organic pesticides following ingestion by Delia radicum (Diptera: Anthomyiidae).

Cabbage maggot (CM) (Delia radicum L.) is a devastating pest of Brassicaceae crops throughout the world, including the Willamette Valley in western Oregon, USA. Chemical control methods for this pest are limited, with reduction or elimination of chlorpyrifos tolerances and expensive alternative chemistries; therefore, there is an increasing need for novel chemical control options. Adult feeding, a strategy used with insecticide-treated baits for other fly species, has yet to be tested as an option for a chemical control delivery for cabbage maggot. Treated bait can exploit the feeding behavior of CM and expose them to insecticides in a field setting. In this study, the efficacy of 5 organic and 5 conventional insecticides was compared in laboratory bioassays of treated bait stations in Aurora, Oregon, USA. The mortality of adult female cabbage maggot flies was assessed over time following ingestion of insecticides. Among organic insecticides tested, spinosad was highly effective 4 h after exposure, while pyrethrins + azadirachtin was moderately effective following 18 h after exposure. Flies exposed to conventional-use pesticides zeta-cypermethrin and bifenthrin had high mortality 1.75 h after exposure, while spinetoram had moderate efficacy 2 h after exposure. Insecticides identified with high or moderate efficacy may have the potential for use in baits or lure formulations that could be used to augment the control of cabbage maggots in field settings.

Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Field Control of Onion Maggot (Delia antiqua) and Compatibility with Seed Treatments.

Onion maggot (Delia antiqua) is a prominent pest of allium crops in temperate zones worldwide. Management of this pest relies on prophylactic insecticide applications at planting that target the first generation. Because effective options are limited, growers are interested in novel tactics such as deployment of entomopathogenic nematodes. We surveyed muck soils where onions are typically grown to determine if entomopathogenic nematode species were present, and then evaluated the compatibility of entomopathogenic nematode species with the insecticides commonly used to manage D. antiqua. We also evaluated the efficacy of these entomopathogenic nematodes for reducing D. antiqua infestations in the field. No endemic entomopathogenic nematodes were detected in surveys of muck fields in New York. Compatibility assays indicated that, although insecticides such as spinosad and, to some extent, cyromazine did cause mortality of entomopathogenic nematodes, these insecticides did not affect infectivity of the entomopathogenic nematodes. Field trials indicated that applications of entomopathogenic nematodes can reduce the percentage of onion plants killed by D. antiqua from 6% to 30%. Entomopathogenic nematodes reduced D. antiqua damage and increased end of season yield over two field seasons. Applications of entomopathogenic nematodes may be a viable option for reducing D. antiqua populations in conventional and organic systems. Together with other management tactics, like insecticide seed treatments, applications of entomopathogenic nematodes can provide a yield boost and a commercially acceptable level of D. antiqua control.

Postharvest control of spotted-wing drosophila and blueberry maggot by low temperature conditions and fumigation with sulfur dioxide

Cold treatment and fumigation are widely applied approaches to disinfest storage pests after harvest of fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables. Cold conditions can limit the development and survival of spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, in fruit and fumigation of blueberries with SO2 may control blueberry maggot, Rhagoletis mendax Curran. In this study, we found that at least 21 d of 0.5 °C was needed for achieving 98.3% reduction in R. mendax making this unsuitable for pre-export disinfestation. The average concentration of SO2 in modified atmosphere packages with slow release SO2 pads was only 2.93 ( ± 0.37) µL L−1 held at 0.5 °C, too low for control of R. mendax. To develop a fruit treatment schedule that controls both pests, we first combined fumigation of 10,000 µL L−1 SO2 and CO2 at 6% v/v for 30 min followed by cold storage at 2 °C for 12 d or − 0.5 °C for 6 d to mimic shipping conditions. With short fumigation and long cold, R. mendax survival was reduced by no more than 4%, whereas D. suzukii was controlled effectively by cold in fumigated and non-fumigated conditions. However, fruit condition was negatively affected by SO2, so lower dosages were explored. 300 and 500 µL L−1 of SO2 with a longer exposure duration were applied at room temperature. These dosages successfully controlled R. mendax without damaging fruit quality. Survival of R. mendax to pupation was reduced by 58% and 61% after 2 d and 3 d fumigation at 22 ⁰C with 300 µL L−1 SO2, respectively. Fumigating infested blueberries at 22 °C with 500 µL L−1 of SO2 reduced pupation by 97% after 2 d and by 100% after 3 d. Fruit quality parameters were not significantly reduced by the low SO2 fumigation regimen on three different blueberry cultivars. Our data indicate that both insect pests can be controlled in harvested blueberries without loss of fruit quality by the combination of fumigation for 3 d at 22 ⁰C with 500 µL L−1 SO2, followed by cold storage. These results can inform export protocols for blueberries as part of a systems approach that combines in-field management and postharvest control programs.

Biological and physiological responses of two Bradysia pests, Bradysia odoriphaga and Bradysia difformis, to Dinotefuran and Lufenuron

Bradysia odoriphaga and Bradysia difformis are destructive root maggots that cause severe losses to vegetables, flowers and edible fungi. Due to the long-term dependence on single pesticides, Bradysia resistance to insecticides has increased, and field control efficacy has decreased obviously. To screen alternative insecticides, and compare the insecticide susceptibility of these two species, we tested the toxicity of eight insecticides to B. odoriphaga and B. difformis, and measured the sublethal effects of Dinotefuran and Lufenuron on life-history parameters and detoxification enzyme activities. Bioassay results indicated that Dinotefuran and Lufenuron had relatively higher toxicity to B. odoriphaga and B. difformis compared to other neonicotinoid and insect growth regulator insecticides, respectively. Significant adverse impacts caused by sublethal concentrations (LC20) of Dinotefuran and Lufenuron on the life-history parameters of F0 and F1 generations of B. odoriphaga and B. difformis were observed. These included reduced survival, prolonged larval development and reduced adult longevity and fecundity. B. odoriphaga had greater resistance and adaptation to insecticides than B. difformis, and an LC20 concentration of Dinotefuran stimulated the reproduction of B. odoriphaga F1 generation and increased the life table parameters. Detoxifying enzymes (CarE and GSTs) and P450 activities fluctuated after a sublethal concentration (Dinotefuran and Lufenuron) treatment, and at the peak value of enzyme activities, the enhancement of detoxifying enzymes of B. odoriphaga was significantly higher than that of B. difformis. These results indicated that Dinotefuran and Lufenuron should be considered as alternatives to other insecticides for control of root maggots. B. odoriphaga exhibited stronger adaptation to insecticides than B. difformis. These data provide guidance for control of root maggots, and the basic information presented here can help reveal the differences in adaptive mechanisms between B. odoriphaga and B. difformis.

Onion maggot control using novel seed treatments in onion, 2022

Onion maggot control using novel seed treatments in onion, 2022

Evaluation of seed treatments for seedcorn maggot control in sweet corn in Wisconsin, 2022

Evaluation of seed treatments for seedcorn maggot control in sweet corn in Wisconsin, 2022

Evaluating Foliar Insecticide Applications and Seed Treatments for Onion Maggot Control in Onion, 2022

Evaluating Foliar Insecticide Applications and Seed Treatments for Onion Maggot Control in Onion, 2022

Onion maggot control using seed treatments in New York onion fields, 2022

Onion maggot control using seed treatments in New York onion fields, 2022

EVALUATION OF THE VALUE OF AMMONIA, NITRATE, AND NITRITE ON CULTIVATION MEDIA OF CATFISH FED MAGGOT

Water quality is a limiting factor of life for aquatic biota, especially biota that lives in a pond. Therefore, water quality management is very necessary so that cultivation activities, especially ponds can continue and do not cause negative impacts on the surrounding environment. Various factors can decrease the water quality of aquaculture ponds one of which is from the remnants of feed and fish manure. Feed is one of the contributors to the dissolved organic matter in the cultivation pond. Maggot or black shoulder fly larvae are one of the alternatives that can be used as fish feed. Maggot has a high animal protein content of 30-45%, so it is very effective to be used as an alternative to additional feed in fish farming. The purpose of this research is to find out the difference in pond water quality between ponds by using maggot and pond feed by using pellet feed. The data taken in this study is primary data using the Complete Randomized Design (RAL) method with 3 treatments and 3 replays in each treatment. These treatments include Full Maggot Control (MU), 50% pellet, and 50% maggot (PU). Data obtained include; ammonia. Nitrites, and nitrates. The results showed that the average final value of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates respectively treatment is KU ( 0.22 mg / L, 0.44 mg/L, 3.667 mg/L), PU (0.022 mg/L, 0.042 mg/L, 3.433 mg/L), MU (0.046 mg/L, 0.028 mg/L, 2.653 mg/L). The results illustrate the conclusion that the provision of maggots as an alternative and additional feed can improve the quality of aquaculture water.

Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Field Control of Onion Maggot (Delia Antiqua) and Compatibility with Seed Treatments

Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Field Control of Onion Maggot (Delia Antiqua) and Compatibility with Seed Treatments

Onion Maggot Control Using Seed Treatments in Onion, 2021

Onion Maggot Control Using Seed Treatments in Onion, 2021

Blueberry fruit quality and control of blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis mendax Curran) larvae after fumigation with sulfur dioxide

Postharvest fumigation of fruits and vegetables is an important tool for managing pests and diseases that can cause devastating loss if not properly controlled. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) may have promise as replacement for methyl bromide, which is expected to be phased out. However, SO2 is known to cause injury to small fruit such as table grapes (Vitis vinifera L.). We extend previous research on SO2 fumigation by focusing on an economically important fruit pest genus and through quantitative and qualitative measurements of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) fruit bleaching. This study assesses fruit damage due to SO2 fumigation at concentrations ranging 0–2.2 % (v/v) as well as the effectiveness of SO2 as a fumigant prior to cold storage for control of blueberry maggot, Rhagoletis mendax Curran. We show that fruit quality traits such as firmness, total soluble solid content, and titratable acidity are largely unaffected except at the highest SO2 concentration (2.2 %). SO2 caused bleaching and discoloration of blueberry fruit in a dose-dependent manner. Damage was also cultivar-dependent, with cv ‘Bluecrop’, and ‘Jersey’ more susceptible than ‘Draper’, ‘Elliott’, and ‘Liberty’. We show that R. mendax can be effectively controlled using a short-term (2 h), high concentration (22,000 μL L−1) SO2 fumigation followed by >14 d of cold storage at 0.5 °C. However, this treatment for control of R. mendax would likely result in damage, affecting fruit marketability.

Seed Corn Maggot Control in Onions in the Columbia Basin

Seed Corn Maggot Control in Onions in the Columbia Basin

Economic Impact of a Potential Expansion of Pest Infestation: Apple Maggot in Washington State

Apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella) is an insect pest of apple (Malus domestica) that is currently limited in extent in the commercial production areas of Washington State thanks to a quarantine program. We estimate the costs to the Washington economy if this pest were to spread more widely. Apple maggot control costs are related to the pressure of codling moth (Cydia pomonella), the most prevalent insect pest in commercial apple production in Washington State. It was found that the losses for the Washington apple industry’s range from $510 million to $557 million, depending on the codling moth pressure. Our findings underscore the importance of an efficient quarantine program that minimized the risk of spreading the pest along with additional costs associated with quarantined areas.

Field Evaluation of Insecticides for Control of Cabbage Maggot (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) in Rutabaga in Canada.

At the time of this research, there were only two insecticides registered for control of cabbage maggot, Delia radicum L., in rutabaga in Canada, one of which (diazinon) will be deregistered by 2017, and resistance having been reported in some areas for the other (chlorpyrifos). To screen for chemistries to replace these organophosphates, and obtain efficacy data comparable between key vegetable brassica production areas in Canada, four small plot field studies were conducted concurrently in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec in 2009. These studies followed standardized protocols for seeding, application of insecticide drenches, sampling and damage assessment, and generally tested the same products. Of the insecticides evaluated, none provided maggot control comparable with the industry standard, chlorpyrifos. However, cyantraniliprole (Cyazypyr 200SC; registered in 2015 as Verimark) applied at 3 g AI (15.0 ml product)/100 m row of seeded rutabagas consistently provided the next highest reduction in % culls, suggesting the efficacy of this chemical may be improved if used at higher rates. The results of these studies are discussed in the context of current literature on D. radicum management in rutabaga. Future management strategies are also discussed, including a transplant plug treatment approach for increasing the dosage per plant and efficacy of chemistries such as Cyazypyr 200SC in the field.

Timing of Insecticide Application for Cabbage Maggot Control in Seeded Turnip on the Central Coast of California

Abstract. Because infestation by cabbage maggot, Delia radicum (L.), does not peak immediately after planting seeds, experiments in 2014 and 2015 determined the effect of timing insecticide application for control on direct-seeded turnip, Brassica rapa var. rapa (L.). Treatments were one chlorpyrifos application either at planting or 2 weeks after planting. Twenty turnip roots were sampled three times starting 2 weeks after the second application. Roots were evaluated for the number of roots infested with cabbage maggots and severity of damage on a scale of 0 = no injury, through 9 = no root hairs or >90% root destroyed. In both years, incidence of cabbage maggot was significantly less in turnip roots treated with insecticide 2 weeks after planting than at planting. Implications of these results for management of cabbage maggot on the Central Coast of California are discussed.

Development and validation of IPM technology for ginger in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand

Intensive survey was conducted in different villages of Tehri district of Uttarakhand to identify the major ginger growing areas, where insectpests and diseases are major problem, to validate the IPM module under field conditions. Consequently, two villages i.e. Pali and Gaind were selected where, rhizome rot, leaf spot, white-grub and rhizome maggot were posing serious threat to ginger cultivation were identified. Therefore, an IPM module was formulated for existing pests problems based on the available control measures in literature against these pests which was further disseminated to the farmers through conductance of demonstrations at the farmers’ field in Tehri-Garhwal area. The results indicated that the IPM program provided 48.19, 63.94, 52.09 and 57.82% control of rhizome rot, leaf spot, white grub and rhizome maggots respectively, over non-IPM practice. Analysis of cost benefit ratio of IPM practice revealed that there was 32.82% increase in yield with net return of Rs. 92.04 thousand per hectare and a B: C ratio of 2.15 over Non-IPM practice. Over all study revealed that the ginger production under IPM situation proved comparatively more economically viable in terms of losses decreased by suppression of pest.

Evaluation of insecticides and application methods to protect onions from onion maggot, Delia antiqua, and seedcorn maggot, Delia platura, damage

Onion maggot, Delia antiqua (Meigen), and seedcorn maggot, Delia platura (Meigen), are important pests of spring-sown onions, Allium cepa L. Larvae of both species feed on developing epicotyls and roots of young onion plants often resulting in seedling mortality. Cultural controls used in combination with the insecticide chlorpyrifos are currently the standard practice for maggot control in the western USA. However, cultural controls are only partially effective and reliance on chlorpyrifos has several potential problems including future availability and development of resistance. Insecticides including clothianidin, imidacloprid, spinosad, and thiamethoxam were evaluated in California, USA in 2011–2013 to identify efficacious alternatives to chlorpyrifos. Some insecticides were applied in multiple ways including seed treatment, in-furrow application at planting, and rototiller incorporation prior to planting. Onion plant population, vigor, and yield were measured to assess insecticide efficacy. Maggots reduced onion plant populations by more than 65% of the seeding rate in the untreated controls. Seed treatments with spinosad or clothianidin + imidacloprid were the best alternative to chlorpyrifos for minimizing onion mortality from maggot feeding. Onions treated with both seed treatments had similar or higher plant populations and bulb yields compared to chlorpyrifos. The efficacy of spinosad was greatly improved when applied as a seed treatment compared to an in-furrow application at planting or when incorporated into the soil with a rototiller prior to planting. Spinosad seed treatment increased onion plant populations by 256%, 76%, and 853% compared to untreated controls in 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively. Conversely, in-furrow and rototill-incorporated applications of spinosad were similar to the untreated control in terms of onion plant population and yield. Seed treatments with newer chemistries could provide an efficacious alternative to chlorpyrifos for protecting onions from maggot damage in western onion production systems.

Curative activity contributes to control of spotted-wing drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and blueberry maggot (Diptera: Tephritidae) in highbush blueberry

AbstractSemi-field experiments were used to compare the curative activity of insecticides on spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae)) and blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis mendax Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae)) in blueberry fruit. The organophosphate phosmet, the spinosyn spinetoram, and neonicotinoids imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiamethoxam showed significant lethality on spotted-wing drosophila and blueberry maggot larvae and eggs, when applied topically to blueberry fruit post-infestation. The pyrethroids fenpropathrin and zeta-cypermethrin showed high levels of post-infestation activity on spotted-wing drosophila larvae or eggs, and indoxacarb showed statistically weaker activity. Curative activity is a previously unrecognised contributor to the overall means by which blueberry growers may achieve control of spotted-wing drosophila and blueberry maggot with the use of insecticides in blueberries.

Integration of Insecticidal, Phagostimulatory, and Visual Elements of an Attract and Kill System for Apple Maggot Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), is a key pest of apple in eastern North America that has been historically controlled with organophosphate insecticide applications. Here we report on progress toward development of an effective and maintenance-free attracticidal sphere system for this pest species. In our studies, we evaluated lethality of spinosad in combination with a feeding stimulant (sucrose) to replace a Tangletrap sticky coating as the killing agent of a sphere-based behavioral control system. Spinosad was incorporated into cylindrical and contoured controlled-release caps that were fixed atop visually stimulating sphere bases. For both cap styles, spinosad at or near 1.0% (a.i.) proved to be a relatively durable fly-killing agent, providing approximately equal to 85% mortality after simulated rainfall exposure reflective of average season-long precipitation levels experienced during the primary period of risk of apple maggot injury to fruit in the northeastern United States. In field trials, we assessed the impact of color degradation of contoured controlled-release caps on visual responsiveness of apple maggot fly and found that it had no significant impact on captures. In commercial orchard trials designed to evaluate the potential of attracticidal spheres with contoured caps for direct control of apple maggot, a perimeter-based deployment provided protection comparable to plots receiving 1-2 whole-plot insecticide applications.