Management and within-tree spatial distribution of the small red-belted clearwing borer, Symmthedon myopaeformis (Borkhausen) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), infesting dwarfing apple orchards in southern Jordan

2006·4.1 MB·English

by  Mazen A Ateyyat

J. Entomol. Soc. Brit.Columbia 103,December2006 11
Management and within-tree spatial distribution
ofthe small red-belted clearwing borer, Synanthedon
myopaeformis (Borkhausen) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae),
infesting dwarfing apple orchards in southern Jordan
MAZEN A. ATEYYAT' ^ and TAWFIQ M. AL-ANTARY^
ABSTRACT
Experiments were conducted in the Ash-Shoubak apple-growing region of southern
Jordan to determinethe impact offourmanagementpractices on reducingpopulations of
the small red-belted clearwing borer, Synanthedon myopaeformis (Borkhausen) infesting
apple cultivars grafted on M26, Ml09, and Ml06 rootstocks. Results revealed that use
ofa flexible wire to mechanically kill insect larvae, mounding soil over the graft-union
area, wrapping tree trunks with cheesecloth from the soil surface to a height of80 cm,
and use ofan insecticidal paint composed ofwater, copper sulfate, petroleum oil, and
Durusban®, all reduced the insect populations compared with untreated control trees.
The insecticidal paint treatment caused the greatest population reduction. More S.
myopaeformis larvae were recovered from the main trunk ofthe trees than from main
andsub-main lateral branches.
Key Words: Sessiidae, pome fruits, burrknots, clonal rootstocks, cultural control,
chemical control. Mondial Gala
INTRODUCTION
Since the late 1980s, the small red- The RBB was first discovered in the
belted clearwing borer (RBB), Synanthedon Ash-Shoubak area of Jordan in the late
myopaeformis (Borkhausen) (Lepidoptera: 1980's (Al-Antary et al. 2004), the coun-
Sesiidae), also known as apple clearwing try's most important area of commercial
moth, has become an increasingly impor- apple production. RBB has been observed
tant indirect pest ofapple, Mahis domestica attacking apple trees in neighboring Egypt
Borkhausen (Rosaceae), in Jordan (Al- (Abd Elkader and Zaklama 1971) but its
Antary et al. 2004). In Europe before the presence in Jordan is the first record ofthis
1960's, the RBB was considered a secon- species in Asia. In 2003, all sixteen com-
dary pest, which usually attacked apple mercial Jordanian apple orchards screened
trees weakened by other factors. However, for the RBB were found to have at least one
since the 1960's, the RBB has been consid- cultivar of apple trees infested (Ateyyat et
ered a serious pest ofcommercial European al. 2005). The RBB is not found in apple
apple and pear orchards (Maini and orchards in northern Jordan and this differ-
Pasqualini 1980) where a RBB infestation ence may be attributed to the increasing use
of apples in Germany resulted in a 22.1% of clonal, size-controlling rootstocks in
decline in yield over a two-year period high-density orchards in the Ash-Shoubak
(Dickler 1976). The RBB was reported as a region (Balazs etal. 1996). A similar situa-
new pest ofapple trees in British Columbia tion was recorded in eastern North America
Canada in 2006 (Philip 2006). where the dogwood borer, Synanthedon
'DepartmentofAgricultural Sciences,Ash-ShoubakUniversityCollege, Al-Balqa' AppliedUniversity,
Al-Sah 19117,Jordan
^ DepartmentofPlantProtection, FacultyofAgriculture,TheUniversityofJordan,Amman,Jordan
^Towhomcorrespondenceshouldbeaddressed: e-mail: [email protected]
12 J.Entomol.Soc. Brjt.Columbia 103,December2006
scitula (Harris), has become increasingly larval parasitism in Germany, and Deseo
important as it infests burr knots on the and Miller (1985) achieved control ofRBB
rootstock of trees planted in high-density larvae using entomopathogenic nematodes,
orchards (Riedl et al. 1985, Warner and Steinernema spp. in apple orchards trials in
Hay 1985, Weires 1986, Pfeiffer and Killan Northern Italy.
1999, Kain and Straub 2001). Burr knots The main objective ofthis work was to
are the resuh of many partially developed study the effect of four management prac-
initials that formjust below the graft union tices on populations of RBB. These prac-
on some dwarfing and semi-dwarfing root- tices included: (1) destruction of larvae
stocks (Rom 1970, 1973). These burr knots using a flexible wire, (2) painting lowertree
appear to be preferred ovipostion sites for trunks with a mixture ofwater, copper sul-
female sesiid moths including the RBB fate, petroleum oil, and Durusban®
(Dickler 1976, Riedl et al. 1985, Warner (chlorpyriphos), (3) covering the graft-
andHay 1985, Kain and Straub 2001). Gen- union area with soil, and (4) wrapping the
erally, sesiid borers cause a slow decline trunk oftrees from the soil surface up to 80
and reduced yields over several years of cm ofheight with a cloth veil. These meth-
infestation due to girdling resuhing from ods could be helpful in establishing an inte-
larvae feeding in the cambial layer (Weires grated management program for this de-
1986, Bergh and Leskey 2003) structive insect. The spatial distribution of
There is little documented research on the RBB within individual trees was also
control measures for RBB. Sontgen and studied.
Sengonca (1988) recorded a low level of
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Management practices. The influence practice.
of four management practices on numbers Orchardists were requested not to inter-
ofRBB larvae was studied on 10-year old fere with any practice so as to keep the se-
apple trees. Mains domestica cv. Mondial lected trees as comparable as possible. All
Gala grafted on M26 rootstock, in Al- treatments were applied once in July 2003,
Hashlamoun apple orchards (about 120,000 except the wire treatment that was used
apple trees) in the Ash-Shoubak area 220 monthly. Numbers of larvae were recorded
km south ofAmman, Jordan (elevation ca. monthly from July 2003 to June 2004. The
m
1300 above sea level). These practices orchard was subdivided into eight plots.
were: (1) use ofa flexible wire (40 cm long, Each plot contained a mixture ofapple cul-
mm
2 thick) to mechanically kill, by either tivars grafted on various rootstocks. Treat-
twisting or probing the wire, all available ments were distributed according to a ran-
larvae of the insect that could be seen on domized complete block design. Each plot
infested wounds or in holes that showed was considered as a block and one tree was
signs of infestation; (2) painting the trunk selected in each block for each treatment.
of trees with a mixture of water, copper All treated and control trees were pruned in
sulfate, petroleum oil, and Durusban'^^ February 2003 and 2004. Some RBB larvae
(chlorpyriphos) (4 L, 2 kg, 2 L and 40 cc, could be seen directly on the wounds. Parts
respectively) from its base up to a height of ofthe bark that showed signs ofinfestation
about 80 cm to poison larvae; (3) a cheese were cut, the larvae counted and the wound
cloth (0.25 mm^ mesh) veil wrapped once resealed. Field lenses were used to count
around the main tree trunk from its base up early larval instars.
to a height of 80 cm and secured with two Spatial distribution of larvae within
thick threads at the base and top; and (4) trees. This experiment wMas conducted on
mounding soil to coverthe graft union area. 10-year old apple trees, domestica cv.
MM
Control trees were not subjected to any Mondial Gala grafted on M26, 106 and
J. Entomol. Soc. Brit.Columbia 103,December2006 13
M9, in Al-Hashlamoun apple orchards. variance was used to evaluate data (SAS
Three plots from the orchard were chosen 2001) after data were exposed to the uni-
for conducting the experiment. Each plot variate test of normality. Repeated meas-
was considered as a block. Three trees were ures ANOVA was used to analyze the main
chosen randomly from each rootstock. One effects of treatments. Mean separation was
tree was considered as an experimental unit. made by using Least Significant Differ-
Experimental trees were subdivided into ences test (LSD).
three parts, trunk, main lateral and sub- The diameter oftrunk, main laterals and
main lateral branches. Also, the trunk was sub-main laterals of the studied trees was
subdivided into three parts that were, 0-25 measured using a measuring tape and the
cm above soil, 26-50 cm above soil, and Table Curve 2D version 4 Program (Jandel
51-75 cm above soil. The numbers ofRBB Scientific 1992) was used to find the most
larvae were recorded using protocol previ- suitable equation that describes the relation-
ously described for management trials, on ship between distribution of insect larvae
each tree section in July, August and Sep- and the diameter oftrunk, main laterals and
tember2004. sub-main laterals.
Statistical analysis. An analysis of
RESULTS
Management practices. Mean numbers Figure 1. During the July 2003 pre-
of RBB larvae found during monthly ex- treatment examination there were no sig-
aminations from July 2003 through June nificant differences in the numbers ofRBB
2004 on a Mondial Gala apple cultivar larvae found on treated and control trees.
grafted on M26 rootstock are presented in All the tested treatments caused a signifi-
Wire Paint Soil mound Qoth ODntrol
Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun.
2003 2004
Month
Figure 1. Mean numbers ofRBB larvae found during monthly examinations from July 2003
through June 2004 and the effect ofthe management treatments on a Mondial Gala apple culti-
vargrafted onM26 rootstock.
14 J. Entomol. Soc.Brit.Columbia 103,December2006
Table 1.
Impact ofmanagement practices on the mean numbers ofsmall red-belted clearwing borer, S.
myopaeformis larvae fromJuly 2003 to June 2004 on a Mondial Gala apple cultivargrafted on
M26 rootstock. Treatments included (1) using a flexible wire to mechanically kill the larvae,
(2) painting the trunk oftrees with a mixture ofwater, copper sulfate, petroleum oil, and Du-
rusban*^ (chlorpyriphos), (3) mounding soil to cover the graft union area and (4) a cloth veil
wrapped around the main tree trunk from its base up to a height of80 cm. Replicated 8 times,
n=l.
Treatment Meannumberoflarvae fromJuly 2003 throughJune 2004
July 2003 (Pre-treatment) Overall efficacy (Post-treatment)
Wire 7.25 a'±0.59 2.21 b± 0.23
Paint 7.13 a ±0.40 0.64 c ± 0.14
Soil mound 7.13 a ±0.58 2.16 b± 0.22
Cloth 6.75 a ± 0.53 1.89 b± 0.28
Control 7.75 a ± 0.59 4.76 a ± 0.37
' Means within the same column that have the same letters are not significantly different using
Least Significant Differences LSD
MM106
re 4
a
^
3
Li b b
re 0
Trunk Main Sub-main
a> M9
> ^ a
^
3
•4-
°
2 ll b b
Trunk Main Sub-main
M26
S 0
Trunk Main Sub-main
Figure 2. Within-tree spatial distribution ofthe small red-belted clearwing borer, S. myopae-
formis larvae infesting the trunk, main and sub-main laterals of Mondial Gala apple cultivar
grafted on MM106, M9 and M26 apple rootstocks. Means with the same letters are not signifi-
cantly differentusing LSD.
J. Entomol. Soc. Brit.Columbia 103,December2006 15
cant reduction in the populations of this - 0.0012; M26: F = 15.10, df = 2,6; P =
insect in subsequent samples (F = 19.63; df 0.0046) (Fig. 2). Within these trunk sam-
= 4, 35; P - 0.0001) (Fig. 1, Table 1) and ples however, there were no significant
the insecticidal paint treatment caused the differences in the numbers oflarvae recov-
greatest reduction (Table 1). ered from different subsections (0-25, 26-
Within-tree spatial distribution of lar- 50 and 51-75 cm above soil surface) ofthe
MM
vae. The numbers of larvae recovered in trunks on trees grafted onto 106 root-
samples of the trunk, main and sub-main stocks (Fig. 3), but on trees grafted onto
lateral branches ofMondial Gala apple cul- M26 rootstocks the upper sample of the
tivar grafted on MM106, M9 and M26 ap- trunk contained significantly fewer larvae
ple rootstocks are presented in Figure 2. than the middle and lower portions of the
RBB larvae were most often recovered trunk (F = 5.61; df= 2,6; P = 0.0423) (Fig.
from the trunks of trees compared with 3). No significant relationship was found
numbers found on the main and sub-main between the number of larvae recovered
lateral branches (MM106: F - 8.60; df - and the diameter ofthe trunk, main or sub-
2,6; P = 0.0173; M9: F - 25.13; df= 2,6; P main lateral limb they were recovered from.
MM106
(0 T
I 1.5
T
' T
^ 1 a
o
a a
0.5
0-25 cm 26-50 cm 51-75 cm
M9
1.5
a,
(0
iS
1
0.5
0-25cm 26-50 cm 51-75cm
M26
T
T
a
ab
0-25cm 26-50cm 51-75cm
Heightabove soil level
Figure 3. Within-tree spatial distribution ofthe small red-belted clearwing borer, S. myopae-
formis larvae infesting the trunk of Mondial Gala apple cultivar grafted on MM106, M9 and
M26 apple rootstocks at three different heights above soil. Means with the same letters are not
significantly differentusing LSD.
16 J.Entomol. Soc.Brit.Columbia 103,December2006
DISCUSSION
In the present study, one application of vae of S. myopaeformis on portions of the
an insecticidal paint composed ofa mixture trunk that were above the graft union (26-
ofDurusban (organophosphate insecticide), 50 cm). This semi-dwarfing rootstock was
petroleum oil and hydrous copper sulfate noticed to have more burr knots at this por-
caused a significant reduction in this insect tion of the trunk. Young and Tyler (1983)
forat least one-year. The othermanagement recommended that apple trees propagated
practices had significant, but less impact on on clonal rootstocks should be grafted no
larval numbers. There are also disadvan- higher than 20-25 cm above the nursery
tages to their use. Using wire to mechani- roots, or that the new trees be planted deep
cally control larvae is laborious and it is in the soil to control dogwood borer. This
difficult to remove all larvae that can infest wouldnot entirely resolve theproblem ofS.
not only the trunk, but also main and sub- myopaeformis infestation of burr knots as
main lateral branches. Mounding soil and some cultivars of apple propagated on
wrapping a veil ofcloth around the exposed clonal rootstocks (such as MM106, M9 and
rootstocks will probably not prevent ovi- M26 in the present study) tend to produce
position on main and sub-main branches. burr knots on the trunk and scaffold limbs,
Young and Tyler (1983) showed that and these are also subject to infestation by
mounding soil around the exposed root- the RBB. Earth and cloth guards to prevent
stock promoted the development of roots the insect from ovipositing on the trunk
fromburrknots. Riedl etah (1985) reported may prevent already present RBB from
that burying rootstocks with infested bun- emerging as adults but may also protect
knots prevented the emergence ofdogwood already present eggs and larvae from preda-
borer adults and further infestation ofthem. tion and parasitism and create optimal con-
In the present study, it was found that some ditions fortheirdevelopment.
rootstocks such as M26 harbored more lar-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We acknowledge Mohannad Al-Akash funded by the Deanships of Research in
for statistical analysis and Ali Rafae'a for both Al-Balqa' Applied University and
his field assistance. This research was University ofJordan.
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