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Is peony a host for light brown apple moth (LBAM) ?

Is peony a host for light brown apple moth (LBAM) ?. Jill McLaren. Background. August 2008: MAF issued first warning of a high risk of cut flower exports to USA being prohibited due to LBAM LBAM was found in California in 2007 in 11 counties; USDA aims to control and eradicate it

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Is peony a host for light brown apple moth (LBAM) ?

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  1. Is peony a host for light brown apple moth (LBAM)? Jill McLaren

  2. Background • August 2008: MAF issued first warning of a high risk of cut flower exports to USA being prohibited due to LBAM • LBAM was found in California in 2007 in 11 counties; USDA aims to control and eradicate it • Imports to USA only allowed under strict conditions. • NZ growers protested “We’ve never seen leafrollers on peonies. We do not have a problem” • Was this an opportunity? • Previously, New Zealand was able to convince the Japanese that cherry was not a host for codling moth by: • Conducting a research programme to prove it • Accessing records from export packing sheds

  3. Light brown apple moth • Epiphyas postvittana (LBAM) is one of several leafroller species found throughout New Zealand • Australian origin (others are endemic) • Important pest of many crops • Quarantine significance • Most knowledge concerns its pest status on fruit trees

  4. Key Questions re USDA stance • Has peony been recorded as a host of LBAM in the past? • Is peony, an herbaceous plant, a host for LBAM? • If so, what stages are we dealing with at harvest? • Does Floragas kill LBAM? • What insecticides can be used?

  5. Searched MAF records of LBAM on peony Tested Floragas for its ability to kill LBAM What postharvest options are there? Investigated peony’s ability to host LBAM Which life stages would be present at the time of picking? How would the annual life cycle of LBAM on peony compare with that on fruit trees? Which insecticides are registered for use against leafrollers on cut flowers? Registration status in USA and NZ Research undertaken by NZP 2008/09

  6. MAF records • No records found of Epiphyas postvittana on peony (Maurice O’Donnell and Anna Tier, MAF: 15.04.09) • There is one record of a ‘leafroller’ found on peony from Alexandra in 1992, but no species given (Maurice O’Donnell)

  7. Testing Floragas • Fresh egg batches sent from Auckland on 4 sheets of waxed paper • Each sheet was suspended between peony stems inside 4 tents • Floragas applied to 3 tents as per label. 3 treated and 1 untreated sheet sent back to Mt Albert

  8. % hatch of LBAM eggs on peony

  9. Floragas results • Allowing for the high level of infertile eggs in the control, 76% of eggs were killed by Floragas • Not good enough, given that eggs represent a big risk if they hatch overseas. No need to test other stages • Thanks to Natalie Page-Weir, Lisa Jamieson and Anne Barrington (HortResearch Mt Albert) • Other postharvest options were sought from NZ researchers, but no alternatives were offered • Any other ideas from growers or exporters?

  10. Trials testing the potential for peony to host LBAM • Released pupae onto caged peony plants (alternative hosts present) • Released egg batches onto peony plants in open • Pheromone trapping in peony and apple blocks

  11. Test plot • October 2008: four cages were constructed using insect-proof cloth. Covered peonies and alternative hosts • Pupae released 30 October 2008 • Egg batches (on waxed paper) stapled to leaves of non-caged plants 4 November 2008 • Covers were removed 11 November 2008

  12. Results from caged plants

  13. Larvae from non-caged plants

  14. Where were the larvae found? • 45% under flowers • 37% under papers • 18% inside folded leaves

  15. 6.11.08 Pupa on Coral Sunset naturally infested

  16. LBAM flights recorded in pheromone traps • Pheromone traps use a copy of the female’s pheromone to attract males • Traps checked weekly • Is LBAM as active in peony as in apple?

  17. LBAM catches over 9 years in Alexandra orchards

  18. Conclusions • Peony may not have been recorded as host of LBAM before, but it is definitely a host • Lucerne and peony were both accepted by LBAM females for egg- laying and larval development. • A whole generation (pupa to pupa) was completed in 3 months on peony • There are two generations per year • Eggs, larvae and pupae could all be present at harvest • Infestations on peony in spring start in autumn; larvae probably overwinter on plants other than peony • The calyx under the bud should be the focus of any inspection. Also twisted or folded leaves

  19. Implications • Pesticides • Other quarantine pests such as thrips are as important as ever. Watch white flowers • Unfortunate that peony is a host; now peony growers are locked into a major programme for exports to USA • Controls will need to include other host plants • Autumn and early spring control important • Minimize weeds

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