The Smells and Sounds of a Subterranean Sessid: Mating disruption and acoustic detection of grape root borer

The Smells and Sounds of a Subterranean Sessid: Mating disruption and acoustic detection of grape root borer

Summary

Objectives/Performance Targets

1) To evaluate the potential of acoustic detection of GRB larvae in the root system of grape plants in a field setting.
2) To evaluate the potential of mating disruption of GRB using both components of its sex pheromone (99:1) (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate:(Z, Z)-3,13-octadecadienyl and just the main component, (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate
a. Determine the lowest effective pheromone dispenser density
b. Determine which pheromone blend is more effective
c. Determine release rate of new paraffin wax dispenser technology
3) To collaborate with growers, extension agents and other agricultural researcher to generate and distribute new information on GRB control

Accomplishments/Milestones

Acoustic records were collected from 28 root systems at Blue Heron Vineyard near Lithia, FL, and 8 at Sirvent’s Farm and Vineyards near Florahome, FL between April 28 and June 9, 2009.
Out of the 36 sites where recordings were made, only one was currently inhabited by a grape root borer larva.
The root systems at 25 of 36 recording sites exhibited V. polistiformis larval damage, although only one live larva was recovered. Altogether, 27 root systems contained one or more invertebrates of various species (see first 4 columns of Tables 1-2). Among these were 41 Coleoptera (including 4 Mycotrupes, 3 Tenebrionids, 1 Cerambycid, 4 Phyllophaga larvae, and 1 Anomala larva, 1 Cetoniid larva, 6 Lepisma saccharina (L), and 3 burrowing roaches, Six sites contained Solenopsis invicta Buren workers, and 3 had termite workers, Other organisms found in the root systems included 5 unidentified worms, 3 Diplopoda, 3 large spiders, and an earthworm.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Collaborators: