Location: Fruit and Vegetable Insect Research
Title: Landing and Oviposition Responses of Rhagoletis indifferens (Dipt., Tephritidae) on Sweet Cherry Treated with Kaolin- and Limestone-Based Products Author
Submitted to: Journal of Applied Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 16, 2010
Publication Date: December 30, 2010
Citation: Yee, W.L. 2010. Landing and Oviposition Responses of Rhagoletis indifferens (Dipt., Tephritidae) on Sweet Cherry Treated with Kaolin- and Limestone-Based Products. Journal of Applied Entomology. DOE:1111/J.1439-0418.2010.01603X. Interpretive Summary: Western cherry fruit fly is an important pest of cherries in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Control methods for the fly other than use of insecticides are needed to reduce potential negative impacts on natural enemies. Personnel at the USDA-ARS Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory in Wapato, WA, are determining if particle films can be used to reduce landings and egg laying by flies on sweet cherry fruit. Two products made of kaolin and two of limestone (calcium carbonate) were tested. Heated-treated kaolin reduced landings and oviposition the most, but the limestone products also reduced fly landings and egg laying. The results suggest that kaolin and limestone-based products eventually can be developed for use to reduce or prevent damage to cherries caused by fruit flies.
Technical Abstract: Kaolin- and limestone-based products were compared for their effects on landing and oviposition on sweet cherry by Rhagoletis indifferens Curran (Dipt., Tephritidae). Surround (95% calcined kaolin), Cocoon (100% hydrous kaolin), Eclipse (>97% limestone), and Purshade (62.5% limestone) were studied. Overall, in choice and no-choice tests, Surround reduced landing and oviposition more than Cocoon, Eclipse, and Purshade. However, all products significantly reduced landing and oviposition compared with untreated controls. In choice tests, high fly density increased the proportion of eggs laid in cherries treated with Surround, Cocoon, or Eclipse versus cherries that were untreated when compared with low fly density. Applications of 3% followed by 6% Surround reduced landings and oviposition more than two applications of 10% Cocoon, Eclipse, or Purshade. Surround caused higher mortality than did other products. In the field, Surround reduced production of puparia from cherries by 32.3 to 100%, depending on the trees sprayed. Surround provided the best protection for cherries against R. indifferens, but limestone-based products potentially might be modified to be oviposition deterrents as well. Fly densities may need to be taken into account when using particle films to protect fruit.