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Michigan higbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) growers were surveyed during Winter 2003 to gather information on the extent of the pest status of japanese beetle (Popillia japonica, Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) within this crop, and their responses to this pest management challenge. The survey was mailed to 215 highbush blueberry farms in southwestern, central, and southeastern Michigan. Ninety-nine surveys were completed and returned. Our results revealed that this pest was of concern to the majority of growers who returned the survey (84%), causing average additional costs of $72/acre. Increased insecticide use was the major cause of the economic loss due to this pest, and the main methods for controlling japanese beetle were insecticides and clean cultivation. More farms had permanent sod coverage than clean cultivation in individual fields. The acreage of clean-cultivated farms was higher because larger farms tend to have clean cultivation. Japanese beetle has driven changes in row-middle management, indicated by growers who have switched to clean cultivation recently. Fifty percent of growers considered the changes they implemented to control japanese beetle to be effective, and most growers were not planning any further changes to their pest management programs to address this pest. Many growers were willing to try new cover crops if they are shown to be effective against japanese beetle.

The goal of this study was to evaluate potential alternatives to endosulfan for control of the blueberry bud mite (Acalitus vaccinii), because the availability of this acaricide may be restricted in the future. Laboratory evaluations of potential acaricides showed that endosulfan and a combination of abamectin plus oil provided 97% and 100% control, respectively. Pyridaben and fenpropathrin were less effective, reducing mite survival by 49% and 57%, respectively. Further laboratory evaluation of the abamectin plus oil treatment showed that each component applied alone provided a high level of control of blueberry bud mite. Field trials in Michigan on a mature highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) planting were conducted to compare control of this pest by postharvest applications of endosulfan, delayed-dormant application of oil, or a combination of both treatments. The oil provided a 40% reduction in mite scores, while endosulfan was more effective (48%) and similar to the combination of endosulfan and oil (52%). A separate field trial using a multifan/nozzle sprayer that applied the pesticide in 233.8 L·ha^-1 (25 gal/acre) of water suggested that the level of control from one application of endosulfan was not as effective as two applications. Results are discussed in relation to developing future bud mite control programs in blueberry and the need to address gaps in our understanding of the biology of blueberry bud mite. Endosulfan (Thiodan 50 WP), Endosulfan (Thiodan 3 EC), Abamectin (AgriMek 0.15 EC), Fenpropathrin (Danitol 2.4 EC), Pyridaben (Pyramite 60 WP).

Seven primocane-fruiting and 15 floricane-fruiting raspberry varieties (Rubus idaeus) were compared for three fruiting seasons on a loamy sand soil in southwest Michigan. The earliest primocane-fruiting varieties (`Autumn Bliss', `Autumn Britten', `Polana') began ripening 3 weeks before the standard variety, `Heritage'. `Autumn Bliss' was the most productive early primocane-fruiting variety. `Caroline' and `Dinkum' ripened about 1 week earlier than `Heritage', and `Ruby' was 2 days later. `Caroline' was the most productive of this group and also had large fruit that were somewhat resistant to rot caused by Botrytis cinerea. `Caroline' also received the greatest leaf feeding from rosechafer beetles (Macrodactylus subspinosus). Most primocane-fruiting varieties were fairly resistant to leaf spot (Sphaerulina rubi), while `Dinkum' was highly susceptible to spur blight (Didymella applanata). Floricane-fruiting varieties were evaluated based on fruit production and quality as well as winter injury to canes, disease resistance, and feeding injury from two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). The floricane-fruiting varieties showing minimal winter injury were `Boyne', `Killarney', `Latham', `Nova', and `Prelude'. `Canby', `Encore', `Glen Ample,', `Qualicum', `Reveille', `Titan', and `K 81-6' were moderately hardy; while `Tulameen', `Malahat', and `Lauren' were not hardy enough for this location. `Reveille', `Killarney', `Boyne', and `Prelude' were the most productive floricane-fruiting varieties. `Nova' and `Qualicum' had low levels of botrytis rot. `Nova' was most resistant to leaf spot and also had resistance to spur blight. Injury from mites was greatest on `Glen Ample' and lowest on `Malahat', `Prelude', `Qualicum', and `Tulameen'. `Caroline' (primocane-fruiting), `Prelude', and `Nova' (floricane-fruiting) were promising newer varieties.