Managing the Top 20 Landscape Insects & Mites

Without Pesticides

David J. Shetlar, Ph.D.The “BugDoc”

The Ohio State University, OARDC & OSU Extension

Columbus, OH

© January, 2004, D.J. Shetlar, all rights reserved

Integrated Pest Management

MONITORPESTS

InsectsDiseases

Weeds

Chemical Controls

Cultural ControlsBiological Controls

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Plant Health Care

Stress (or Pest)Management

Plant Evaluation

Plant Client

Intervention?

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Classic Biocontrols

P Predators

P Parasites

P Pathogens

Ants & WaspsBeetlesSpiders

Bugs (damsel, bigeyed, stink)MitesOthers

Wasps Flies

VirusFungiBacteria

Entomopathogenic Nematodes

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Biocontrol or "BioBased"?

! Paenibacillus popillae – grub milky disease

! Bacillus thuringiensis - -endotoxin

! Saccharopolyspora spinosa -

spinosyns (=ConserveJ)

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Entomopathogenic Fungi

Beauveria spp. "White" Fungus

Metarhizium spp. "Green" Fungus

Naturalis-T®

(none registered in US)

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Steinernema carpocapsae

S. riobravis

S. scapterisci

Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Using Biocontrols in Landscapes

! Introduction

! Conservation

! Augmentation

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Conserving Biological Controls

! Learn to recognize biocontrols

! Use least toxic chemicals

! Target chemicals WHERE needed

! Educate customer

! Provide food and habitat

! BE PATIENT!!© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Selecting Least Toxic Insecticides

! Soaps and Oils (kill by contact only)

! Use IGR-type products (very selective)

! Use chloro or thianicotinoids

! Use microbial products

! Use short residual products

! ??© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Classic Cultural Controls

P Physical/mechanical

P Plant Resistance/Tolerance

Hand crushingTrapsBarriers

Syringing

Site Plants Fertilizer & Water

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Caterpillar ControlsNon-Pesticides

Biologicals• Predators• Parasites• Pathogens• “Bt” & “Spinosad”

Cultural• Crush!• Resistant/tolerant

plants?• “Soaps or Oils”• Avoid cover sprays!

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

JB Adult ControlsNon-Pesticide

Biologicals• Predators (few)• Parasites (mainly

larval)• Pathogens (mainly

larval)

Cultural• Remove first

“Scouts!”• Resistant/tolerant

plants?• Site plants in shade

or partial sun.• Traps (NO!)

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Borer Control Approaches

Cultural –Use plants that are not prone to borer attack!Plant health care – plants in good growing

conditions can usually repel borer attacks.

Avoid Plant Damage – damaged plants are prone to attack.

Biological –Usually not effective because they attack

after infestation.

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Bug & Aphid ControlsNon-Pesticides

Biologicals• Predators• Parasites• Pathogens

Cultural• Crush!• Resistant/tolerant

plants?• Site plants in shade

or partial sun.• Syringe!• “Soaps or Oils”

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Scale ControlsNon-Pesticide

Biologicals• Predators

(numerous)• Parasites (BINGO!)• Pathogens (few)

Cultural• Prune out heavy

infestations.• Resistant/tolerant

plants?• Don’t fertilize

heavily!• Syringe?• “Soaps or Oils”

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Mite ControlsNon-Pesticides

Biologicals• Predators

(numerous, all small)

• Parasites (nope)• Pathogens (few)

Cultural• Avoid introductions!

(bedding plants)• Resistant/tolerant

plants?• Site plants in shade

or partial sun.• Syringe!• “Soaps or Oils”• Avoid cover sprays!© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Gall ControlsNon-Pesticides

Biologicals• Predators (few)• Parasites (some)• Pathogens (few)

Cultural• Resistant/tolerant

plants?• Just learn to

“appreciate” them!• Pull off!

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004

Are there alternatives to insecticides for lawns?

• Insect parasitic nematodes are effective, but expensive and inconsistent. New ones are on the way!

• Milky disease of Japanese beetles does not affect other species of grubs. In Ohio, the disease is a weak pathogen that will eventually occur “naturally.” Very expensive to apply.

• Endophytes provide long term, consistent control (of surface insects).

© D.J. Shetlar, 2004