Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/31248
Wasps that parasitize brown marmorated stinkbug eggs are being screened in quarantine. Shearer said it has been found south of Portland, in the wine country around McMin- nville, in the Salem area, and south as far as Corvallis. In northern Oregon, it’s been reported in Sandy, to the west of the cherry and pear growing regions of The Dalles and Hood River, and in Arlington to the east. “It’s on either side of us and also coming up the Columbia Gorge on the Washington side,” Shearer said. “It’s a catastrophe. It’s worse than anything I have ever worked with.” Sad day What makes it particularly troublesome is that the only products that can deter this giant stinkbug are the harsh pesticides that growers have been urged to avoid using in order to preserve natural enemies of secondary pests. “They are not friendly to our IPM (integrated pest management) programs, and it’s going to mean a lot more expense to the grower because we’re going to be spraying for both primary and secondary pests,” Shearer said. “It’s a sad day if we say goodbye to IPM.” There is some hope on the distant horizon, though. USDA explorers have been to China and brought back natural enemies of the stinkbug, Trissolcus halyomorphae and three other species of Trissolcus parasitic wasps, which are in quarantine. It is reported that Trissolcus halyomorphae is an effective parasite of brown marmorated stinkbug eggs in other parts of the world and is able to reduce populations. The brown marmorated stinkbug is considered a nuisance in China but not a destructive agricultural pest, possibly because it is held in check by natural enemies, Shearer said. Rogg said the bug was not a quarantine pest in the United States, probably because it was not listed as an agricultural pest in the country of origin. It probably arrived in the United States via a shipping container. The parasitic wasps are going through rigorous screening to make sure that they don’t attack native stinkbug species, including some that are useful generalist predators, Shearer said. “Right now, it appears very promising, but until the studies are complete, it can’t be released. That could be a couple of years.” • we’vegot the toppicks. Whenit comes to cherry trees, AtProTree Nurseries we are proud ofthe selectionand quality ofcherry trees that we offer to our customers. From the early Coral Champagne variety with its flavorful, deep red-wine fruit, to the Rainier, which produces delicate, golden gems, we have the variety and rootstocks that you are looking for. Call us today to place your order for 2011 delivery from the following tree varieties: t Benton™ t Coral Champagne t Skeena™ t Bing t Cristalina™ t Sweetheart™ t Black Tart t Lapins t Tieton™ t Brooks™ t Rainier t Tulare™ t Chelan™ t Selah™ t Vans Cherry varieties are available onColt,Gisela® ,Mahaleb,or Mazzard. * We also offer a full line of apple varieties. Please call ProTree Nurseries for the full list of apple varieties and rootstocks that are available. *Not all varieties are available on all rootstocks. Call for specific grafting information. 8‚‚-6‹›-⁄6‡⁄ (Alison Clegg or Richard Chavez) • 8‡‡-›∞‡-6·‚⁄ (Henry Sanguinetti) Fax ·¤∞-6‹›-6‚›‚ www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER MAY 15, 2011 13 ‡›⁄ Sunset Road, Brentwood, CA ·›∞⁄‹