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Integrated Management of the European Paper Wasp

Integrated Management of the European Paper Wasp. Supported by: The OKCGA and The BCAC Agriculture Environment Sustainability Initiative. Project Goal Apply IPM techniques to study the behavior of wasps attacking cherries. Obtain positive species identification

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Integrated Management of the European Paper Wasp

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  1. Integrated Management of the European Paper Wasp Supported by: The OKCGA and The BCAC Agriculture Environment Sustainability Initiative

  2. Project GoalApply IPM techniques to study the behavior of wasps attacking cherries • Obtain positive species identification • Creston and Okanagan / Similkameen • Document seasonal phenology • Evaluate trap types and lures • Analyze conditions affecting wasp build-up • Evaluate pesticide effectiveness for control

  3. Distribution of Cherry Orchards Affected by Wasps in 2007

  4. Distribution of Injury toCommercial Blocks in 2008 • 2 Creston orchards seriously affected • 1 + 2 acre blocks • Up to 40% loss in both blocks • No reports of injury in the Okanagan or Similkameen

  5. Initial Fruit Injury – 7 days pre-harvest

  6. Damage increased by ~ 5% / daybetween July 25th and Aug 2nd

  7. Species IdentificationEuropean Paper Wasp Polistes dominula • Visual Characteristics • Pattern on thorax- “Leggier” in flight 1st found in N. America in Massachusetts in 1980

  8. Seasonal Presence of P. dominula • April 10th – 1st queens observed near buildings • 6 degree days base 6 • June 20th – 1st workers observed on nests • 500 degree days base 6 • From queen emergence until mid July – wasps not observed foraging or nesting in orchards • July 18th - 1st Activity observed on leaves • Primarily on petiole glands • July 25th - Initial feeding damage to fruit • Harvest - July 31st to August 2nd

  9. 2 Monitoring ExperimentsExperiment # 1: 6 orchard sites

  10. Collaboration with Sterling International Peanutbutter Jar Trap Yellow Jacket Trap - 2 Trap types – Clear Dome and Reservoir trap- 3 commercial lures – vapor blends - 3 sets of 5 traps placed in each of 6 commercial blocks Monitored weekly between late April and mid October

  11. Mainly western yellowjacket and prairie yellowjacket

  12. Captures of Overwintering QueensFirst 2 weeks: April 23 – May 7

  13. Monitoring Experiment # 2Alongside replicated blocks of Expt. 1, Site 3 3 1 4 2

  14. Oak Stump Style Trap • Wide Jar trap with entrance holes in each side • Sugary and protein attractants tested with and without commercial lures

  15. Attractants Tested • Apple Juice with Pherotech lure • Apple Juice without lure • Beer with Pherotech lure • Beer without lure • Mountain Dew with Pherotech lure • Mountain Dew without lure • Canned salmon tested once monthly

  16. Perimeter Trap Captures

  17. Center of Orchard Trap Captures

  18. Summary of Monitoring Results • Limited success capturing European paper wasps from queen emergence up to 4 wks • Coinciding from green tip to full bloom • Dome traps with lure completely ineffective • Commercial lures had low effectiveness • Beer was most effective of solution attractants tested • Limited application of protein bait (canned salmon) resulted in no captures

  19. Visual Assessment of Wasp Pressure during pre-harvest period

  20. Analysis of Factors that Potentially Influence Wasp Build-up • Environmental conditions • Insecticide use patterns • Orchard proximity to wasp colonies

  21. Full bloom ~ 100 DD2 weeks behind 2007 1st o.w. queen observed Apr 10, 2008

  22. June 18th~ 400 DD13 days behind 20071st active workers

  23. July Period of Injury2007 & 2008

  24. Monthly Mean Temperatures

  25. Monthly Precipitationspring of 2008 below normal

  26. Insecticide Use Patterns - 2007

  27. Insecticide Use Patterns - 2008

  28. Influence of Insecticides • No clear relationship between insecticide use pattern and extent of wasp injury • Sites 1 and 2 affected in both 2007 & 2008 followed softer program in July than other sites affected only in 2007

  29. 2008 Insecticide Use Patternfrom 27 lots not affected

  30. Proximity of Orchards to Natural Vegetation

  31. Nest Site Habitat • Around buildings - under eaves, attics • Inside old vehicles • Inside cavities - bird houses, rock walls • On coniferous growth - dense hedges

  32. Insecticide ControlSevin marginally effective

  33. An Integrated Approach to Control • Ensure correct species identification when observing and capturing wasps • Reduce Queen population early in spring • Monitor nest site habitat & Destroy nests • Trapping pre-bloom • Altering nest site habitat • Monitor and record seasonal environmental conditions • Monitor populations in high risk blocks daily beginning at least 2 weeks pre-harvest

  34. Continued Research • Control of this pest is not yet manageable • Insect monitoring – research into trapping, attractants and chemical lures • Insect control – influence of insecticide use for prevention and control

  35. Thank you for your support

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