November 18, 2021 Test of plant defense elicitors for arthropod pest suppression and PR-1 gene induction in pear orchards Plant defense elicitors (PDEs) are chemicals that stimulate plant defenses against pathogens and herbivores. Previous work shows that PDEs acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) and harpinab protein (harpin) can induce the pathogenesis-related gene PR-1 in plants and suppress herbivorous […]
2020 and 2021 Leafhopper Insecticide Trials By Dr. Louis Nottingham and Dr. Katlyn Catron Methods: Colladonus reductus leafhoppers were collected from organic or unsprayed orchards’ groundcover (Fig. 1) via sweep nets, then returned to the lab. Leafhoppers were exposed to insecticides by direct sprays or previously treated leaves from cherry trees. After exposure, leafhoppers were […]
The Nottingham Lab’s work on pear IPM was the feature spread in the September 2021 issue of the Good Fruit Grower. Check it out! Putting IPM to work
Written by Louis Nottingham and Katlyn Catron, August 9, 2021 Introduction Data showing efficacy of insecticides against leafhopper vectors of x-disease is still relatively sparse. To address this, we performed two lab bioassays to screen insecticide products against Colladonus montanus reductus, the most abundant leafhopper vector of x-disease found in Washington cherries. We evaluated insecticides […]
Pear Phenology Update, August 9, 2021 Pear Psylla’s Current Status: The 2nd generation of summerform adults are at or past peak in most regions. Young nymphs of the 3rd generation are nearing peak and increasing. Hardshells of the 3rd generation are within the first 25% and rising. If biocontrol is present in orchards (IPM and […]
How to Sample for Pear Psylla Using Beat Trays Louie Nottingham demonstrates how to sample for pear psylla using the tray tap method, also known as the beat tray method. You will need an 18″ x 18″ beat tray (DYI or available for purchase at some ag chemical companies), a tapping stick and a sampling […]
June 22, 2021 Principal Investigator or CFO? Unpacking the PI Conundrum with Basic Economic Theory by Louis Nottingham This article was originally published in the Summer 2021 edition of “American Entomologist” https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/tmab028 As a relatively new research faculty member, coming to grips with the true nature of running a lab has been something of an […]
June 7, 2021 Pear Psylla’s Current Status: Old nymphs (hardshells) from the first generation are still present but declining. Summerform adults and eggs are rapidly building in cooler locations (Cashmere) and nearing peak at 1500DD in warmer ones (Medford). Early instar nymphs of the second generation are building in all locations, and will peak at […]
June 2, 2021 Ambient moisture causes methomyl residues on corn plants to rapidly lose toxicity to the pest slug, Arion subfuscus, Müller (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora) The carbamate insecticide methomyl is sometimes used to control slugs in field corn and soybean by foliar applications, but control outcomes in research trials and commercial operations have been mixed. In […]
June 1, 2021 Pear Psylla’s Current Status: Some old nymphs from the first generation are still present but declining. Summerform adults and eggs are building in orchards (about 25-30% of the peak population are now present). Adults and eggs will increase until the peak at 1500 DD. Early instar nymphs of the second generation are […]
