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Cucumbers are susceptible to the bacterial wilt organism that overwinters in the gut of cucumber beetles. This disease is transmitted in feces via open feeding wounds and plugs xylem vessels of water conductive tissues. Insecticides can be applied to control cucumber beetles. Adios, a semiochemical bait impregnated with cucurbitacin is combined with the insecticide carbaryl, which can be applied after plant emergence to control cucumber beetles. However, the method of application for giving the maximum control is unknown; thus, this was the purpose of this project. This study evaluates the rate of application, number of applications, methods of application using pressure and airblast sprays, and compares two Adios formulations. Also studied were the effects of Adios on bee fertilization and the quality of the fruit, since carbaryl is toxic to bees, and therefore can affect pollination. Adios was also compared to a foliar insecticide, Asana.
Cucumbers are susceptible to the bacterial wilt organism that overwinters in the gut of Diabroticite (cucumber) beetles. This disease is transmitted in feces via open feeding wounds and plugs xylem vessels of water conductive tissues. Insecticides can be applied to control Diabroticite beetles. Adios, a semiochemical bait impregnated with cucurbitacin is combined with the insecticide carbaryl, which can be applied after plant emergence to control Diabroticite beetles. However, the method of application for giving the maximum control was unknown. This study evaluates the rate of application, number of applications, methods of application using pressure and airblast sprays, and compares two Adios formulations. Also studied were the effects of Adios on bee fertilization and the quality of the fruit, since carbaryl is toxic to bees and thus affects pollination. Adios was also compared to a foliar insecticide, Asana XL.
Semiochemical baits impregnated with cucurbitacin, floral volatiles, and small amounts of carbaryl insecticide have been developed to control cucumber beetles. Insecticide application of low carbaryl levels with insect attractants offers low risk advantages over conventional insecticides. Experiments determined the effectiveness of different timing schedules of granular semiochemical baits and compared two application methods (i.e., air-blast and standard boom) of flowable semiochemical baits. One concern this study addressed was whether the shearing action of the air-blast applicator affected the physical integrity of the microsphere formulations and therefore its effectiveness. Both granular and flowable formulations reduced cucumber beetle populations. Total number of live and dead beetles in treated plots generally exceeded the total number found in the control plots. This suggests that immigrating beetles were attracted from outside, died, and accumulated in the treated plots. Control plots were treated with floral attractants. Bacterial wilt symptoms were not observed in any plot.