Conduct field days on collaborating grower farms to demonstrate earwig monitoring and effects on pest populations (Year 2)Д¬.

Summarize research findings at grower meetings (Years 2-3)Д«. Improve stakeholder knowledge on earwig IPM.ДЄ. Examine sublethal effects of pesticides on earwig motor coordination and predationД¤. Determine acute short-term toxicity of organic and conventional tree fruit pesticides to earwigsД«. Screen non-target effects of pesticides on earwigs. Test potential of using drones to release earwigs (Years 2-3)ДЈ. Examine the efficacy of adding shelters to increase abundance of existing earwig populations (Years 2-3)Д. Determine optimal release rates and timing to establish augmented earwigs (Years 1-3)Д¬. Determine if earwigs cause damage to pears or to вЂHoneycrispвЂ™ or вЂGalaвЂ™ apples (Year 1)Д«. Examine potential of earwig augmentation in pome fruit.ДЄ. Measure success of earwig mass trapping in stone fruit orchardsДў. Determine which trap type catches the largest number of earwigs in stone fruit orchardsД«. Develop a mass trapping protocol for earwigs to support releases in pome fruit by removing them from stone fruit orchards where they are pests. Our project will reduce orchardist reliance on insecticides to manage pests, decreasing pesticide exposure of workers, consumers, and the environment. We will improve stakeholder knowledge regarding earwig IPM by (a) summarizing research findings at grower meetings, (b) conducting field days on collaborating grower farms, and (c) creating extension documents and (d) a multimedia library describing earwig biology and management. We will also screen pesticide non-target effects on earwigs so growers can make spray choices that minimize harm to biocontrol agents. The project will examine the potential of earwig augmentation in pome fruit by (a) confirming that earwigs do not damage pears or вЂHoneycrispвЂ™ apples, (b) determining optimal earwig release rates and timings for establishment, (c) examining efficacy of using earwig shelters to increase earwig populations, and (d) testing the potential of drones as a more efficient method of earwig release. We will create a mass-trapping protocol for earwigs to support releases in pome fruit by determining (a) the most effective mass trap and (b) whether these traps can be used to reduce damage in stone fruit, where earwigs are pests.

ladybeetles and lacewings) that readily move out of orchards after release, especially if prey populations are low. This is in contrast to other natural enemies (e.g. Earwigs are particularly good candidates for inoculation because they are omnivorous and poor dispersers, so they often remain in orchards feeding on alternative food when pest populations are low. This project will develop tactics that growers can use to inoculate their orchards with earwigs.

Growers that recently converted to softer programs have been unable to use earwig biological control because their populations have been eliminated earwigs have long generation times and poor dispersal ability, which inhibits their reestablishment. However, the role of earwigs in controlling orchard pests has been unappreciated, likely because previous pesticide programs were too harsh for earwigs to thrive. Because some of our members list home addresses, we keep their contact information private.Current research indicates that earwigs are critical natural enemies of aphids, pear psylla, and codling moth. Our ANBP Associate Level members include university and Federal scientists, students, and anyone interested in the area of augmentation biological control. UAV-IQ improves traditional biocontrol applications by using drones to release beneficial insects exactly when and where they're needed to suppress pests. Specializing in IPM for permitted organic cannabis. The Quebec Institute for the Development of Ornamental Horticulture (IQDHO) If you are a member and would like to submit your product list, please send an e-mail to the Executive Director. Looking to buy beneficial insects, mites, or nematodes for biological control (biocontrol)? Listed below are current Members and product lists for those who have submitted them.

Using drones release biocontrol agents