Good Fruit Grower

November 2012

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GOOD TO KNOW A research report from Joseph Fiola, University of Maryland Extension G Brown marmorated stinkbug in grapes and wine There's good and bad news for grape and wine producers. rape growers have been closely watching the spread of the brown marmorated stinkbug (Halyomorpha halys Stål). It was first identi- fied in 1996 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and has spread to 36 states. In 2010, a warm win- ter and spring caused an early population surge of BMSB that caught fruit and vegetable growers off guard and caused severe economic losses. It is currently a signifi- cant economic problem in five Mid-Atlantic states, caus- ing millions of dollars of damage to over 300 susceptible crops, including grapes. Armed with a multistate grant from the U.S. Depart- ment of Agriculture, university researchers and growers started a research project in 2011 to discern details of the stinkbug's lifecycle, monitoring techniques, and econom- ically and environmentally sustainable management practices. Meanwhile, orchardists have had to depend on broad-spectrum pesticides to keep damage at a tolerable level. No native natural enemies of the BMSB have been determined to date, and scientists are exploring native habitats for natural predators and parasitoids in China. COLD AIR DRAIN Frost Protection ® BMSB in vineyards Adult BMSB emerge in early spring from overwinter- ing sites, such as dead trees in the woods, under rocks, and in homes, to mate and migrate to the vineyard. All stages (five nymphal stages and adults) readily move in and out of vineyards from adjacent fields and hedgerows from spring through fall. As the season progresses, har- vest of other crops surrounding the vineyard, like soy- beans, may induce migration into the vineyard, causing dramatic increases in populations. All BMSB life stages cause direct damage to foliage and berries. The stinkbug feed by piercing the fruit with its tubelike mouthparts, injecting saliva to predigest plant tissue, and then sucking up the plant fluids. Feeding dam- age on fruit continues from fruit set through harvest, although damage is less problematic on developing fruit, as the berries are more resistant to rot. Monitoring and control Growers should monitor foliage and fruit regularly for presence of eggs, instars, and adults. Egg masses (27 eggs per mass) should be physically destroyed when observed. Vigilant scouting for the damage and subsequent fate of the fruit (healing, rots, etc.) is necessary to assess actual and potential damage at various developmental stages. There has been a significant amount of research to find pesticides that will help control the stinkbugs. Please see the following site for pesticide recommendations: www.grapesandfruit.umd.edu/TimelyVit2/TimelyVit BMSB2%20rev.pdf To add insult to injury, the stinkbug is capable of "drop and recovery," which means the insecticide appears to kill them, as evidenced by a significant population on the ground, but after 24 to 48 hours, they recover and can get back into the clusters. To minimize stinkbugs at harvest, some growers are spraying "knockdown" type insecti- cides with short reentry and preharvest intervals and har- vesting the fruit as soon as legally possible after spraying—and before the insect can reinfest. As nights become cooler during harvest, the brown marmarated stinkbug tend to hide inside clusters (seeking sugar and warmth) and may consequently be CO T E COST EFFECT POWERFUL! VERSATILE! CTIVE! Most system Minima No ma maintenance contracts. StatState-of theof-the-art pro ATIL Size & power mal site prep. Fuel efficient. ance mss have a 100% re Fu Targeted protection for frost pockets, swales, slopes, valleys, etc. Use alone or with wind machines, water, or heaters. r o options avai ab r fr ailable to mee cke meet your needs. wal FREE COMPUTERIZED FROST ANALYSIS & PRICE QUOTE! SHuR FARMS® Frost Protection 1890 N. 8th Street, Colton, CA 92324 877.842.9688 or 909.825.2035 info@shurfarms.com 44 NOVEMBER 2012 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.shurfarms.com www.goodfruit.com c. 100% payback rac ropeller sends co ack i in the firs cold air rst year r u up ap ar. approximately 300 ft.

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