Evaluation of drone and ground releases of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri for mealybug (Pseudococcus maritimus) control in apples
In apple growing regions of Washington State (USA), mealybug outbreaks are infrequent but can be severe, especially in organic production systems. Because insecticide sprays are ineffective for this pest, management tactics are limited, and alternative approaches that are compatible with organic pra...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Biological Control |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S104996442500115X |
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| author | Erica Moretti Rebecca A. Schmidt-Jeffris |
| author_facet | Erica Moretti Rebecca A. Schmidt-Jeffris |
| author_sort | Erica Moretti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In apple growing regions of Washington State (USA), mealybug outbreaks are infrequent but can be severe, especially in organic production systems. Because insecticide sprays are ineffective for this pest, management tactics are limited, and alternative approaches that are compatible with organic practices are needed. In four trials (2020–2023), we evaluated releases of mealybug destroyers, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), for the control of grape mealybug, Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), in commercial organic apple orchards. Although C. montrouzieri are well known for their role in classical biological control of mealybug pests in a variety of cropping systems worldwide, this is the first report of their use as augmentative biocontrol in apple orchards in the US. Different application types (drone vs hand-releases), timings, life stages (adults vs larvae), and rates were tested. In 2020, early season hand releases at high rates (12,355/ha) reduced P. maritimus relative to the untreated control, but in subsequent years no efficacy was observed; pest pressure was also lower in these trials. Across all four years of the study, C. montrouzieri adults dispersed rapidly from field sites, especially in drone releases. Further research is needed to assess if larval releases in mealybug “hot spots” can be effective. Based on their propensity for dispersal, high host-density dependence, and expense, releases of adult C. montrouzieri for P. maritimus control in apple are not strongly supported. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5206f0befabd4876bb5e8fd2c1a0ca48 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1049-9644 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biological Control |
| spelling | doaj-art-5206f0befabd4876bb5e8fd2c1a0ca482025-08-20T03:17:31ZengElsevierBiological Control1049-96442025-08-0120710580510.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105805Evaluation of drone and ground releases of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri for mealybug (Pseudococcus maritimus) control in applesErica Moretti0Rebecca A. Schmidt-Jeffris1USDA-ARS, Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Crop Research Unit, 5230 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, WA 98951, United StatesCorresponding author.; USDA-ARS, Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Crop Research Unit, 5230 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, WA 98951, United StatesIn apple growing regions of Washington State (USA), mealybug outbreaks are infrequent but can be severe, especially in organic production systems. Because insecticide sprays are ineffective for this pest, management tactics are limited, and alternative approaches that are compatible with organic practices are needed. In four trials (2020–2023), we evaluated releases of mealybug destroyers, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), for the control of grape mealybug, Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), in commercial organic apple orchards. Although C. montrouzieri are well known for their role in classical biological control of mealybug pests in a variety of cropping systems worldwide, this is the first report of their use as augmentative biocontrol in apple orchards in the US. Different application types (drone vs hand-releases), timings, life stages (adults vs larvae), and rates were tested. In 2020, early season hand releases at high rates (12,355/ha) reduced P. maritimus relative to the untreated control, but in subsequent years no efficacy was observed; pest pressure was also lower in these trials. Across all four years of the study, C. montrouzieri adults dispersed rapidly from field sites, especially in drone releases. Further research is needed to assess if larval releases in mealybug “hot spots” can be effective. Based on their propensity for dispersal, high host-density dependence, and expense, releases of adult C. montrouzieri for P. maritimus control in apple are not strongly supported.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S104996442500115XBeneficial releasesAugmentationDroneGrape mealybugMealybug destroyerConvergent ladybeetle |
| spellingShingle | Erica Moretti Rebecca A. Schmidt-Jeffris Evaluation of drone and ground releases of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri for mealybug (Pseudococcus maritimus) control in apples Biological Control Beneficial releases Augmentation Drone Grape mealybug Mealybug destroyer Convergent ladybeetle |
| title | Evaluation of drone and ground releases of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri for mealybug (Pseudococcus maritimus) control in apples |
| title_full | Evaluation of drone and ground releases of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri for mealybug (Pseudococcus maritimus) control in apples |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of drone and ground releases of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri for mealybug (Pseudococcus maritimus) control in apples |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of drone and ground releases of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri for mealybug (Pseudococcus maritimus) control in apples |
| title_short | Evaluation of drone and ground releases of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri for mealybug (Pseudococcus maritimus) control in apples |
| title_sort | evaluation of drone and ground releases of cryptolaemus montrouzieri for mealybug pseudococcus maritimus control in apples |
| topic | Beneficial releases Augmentation Drone Grape mealybug Mealybug destroyer Convergent ladybeetle |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S104996442500115X |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ericamoretti evaluationofdroneandgroundreleasesofcryptolaemusmontrouzieriformealybugpseudococcusmaritimuscontrolinapples AT rebeccaaschmidtjeffris evaluationofdroneandgroundreleasesofcryptolaemusmontrouzieriformealybugpseudococcusmaritimuscontrolinapples |