The following is a brief summary of an efficacy trial of several organic materials at different rates and frequencies in a local organically managed raspberry field.
The trial was run as follows:
Treatments were Pyganic 5.0 applied at 9 fl oz per acre, Pyganic 5.0 applied at 18 fl oz per acre, Pyganic 5.0 applied at 18 fl oz per acre + Aza-Direct applied at 2 pt per acre and Entrust applied at 2 oz per acre.
Two applications of all Pyganic materials and mixes were made; one on 6/29 and the other on 7/2. As per recommendations from the distributor, carrier pH's were modified to below 6.5 with Mix-Well.
Entrust was applied once on 7/2. As per label recommendations, pH was not modified and checked out at 7.0.
Applications made with 75 gal water per acre.
Vacuum evaluations using the bug vac described last November took place before application and last vacuum evaluation was on July 6. Evaluation of fruit for SWD infestation was made before application and then again on July 7.
Results are encouraging. Level of fruit infestation as evaluated on July 7 was significantly lower than the untreated control in the 18 oz per acre Pyganic treatments (both alone and mixed with Aza-Direct) and the single application of Entrust. This trend corresponded strongly with the numbers of flies caught by vacuum up to that date.
It appears that a single application of Entrust or two applications of a high rate of Pyganic can offer organic growers up to five days of SWD control.
There are pesticides mentioned for management of spotted wing drosophila in this article. Before using any of these products, check with your local Agricultural Commissioner's Office and consult product labels for current status of product registration, restrictions, and use information.