Insect IPM Protocols for Fresh Cut Peonies: Protecting a New Alaskan Export Crop

Insect IPM Protocols for Fresh Cut Peonies: Protecting a New Alaskan Export Crop

Summary

Seven peony farms from the Fairbanks area (4), Kenai Peninsula (2), and Mat-Su (1) participated in the second year of monitoring for lygus bugs and thrips. The project has a goal of developing IPM protocols for these insects in peony crops. In 2016 sampling protocols followed to track the phenology of lygus bugs and aphids and document their abundance in different locations, both from region to region and on a smaller scale from field to border areas. IPM technicians provided supplies and sampling instructions to growers, who then sampled with sticky traps and sweep nets on a weekly basis. Thrips were included in the sampling to contribute to ongoing research at Washington State University.

Objectives/Performance Targets

All farms followed the protocols. Insects on sticky traps are currently being identified and counted by Dr. Beverly Gerdeman. Because of savings on the grant we are going to extend data collection an additional year.

Accomplishments/Milestones

We have two years of data now from 7 farms located from Fairbanks to Homer.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Two presentations to the Alaska Peony Growers Association will be given in January 2017 on progress of this project.

Collaborators: