Progress in the mechanization of mating disruption deployment

Abstract: The American Cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton (Ericaceae) is the most significant fruit crop in Wisconsin, accounting for almost 85% of the states total value of fruit production. A challenge faced by cranberry growers is managing for insect pests that cause economic damage. Presently, growers use insecticides to manage insect pest populations. However, insecticides also cause mortality in beneficial insects - including pollinators and natural enemies. An alternative for reducing insect populations in cranberry marshes is Mating Disruption (MD), which uses pheromones to prevent and delay mating. MD systems function by sending out false plumes of the insect’s sex pheromones – this interferes with the insect’s ability to find a mate, preempting egg fertilization and reducing crop damage. Three major cranberry pests are Sparganothis sulfureana, Acrobasis vacinii, and Rhopobata naevana. These pests all use pheromones to communicate, which makes MD a viable tool for pest management. Specialized Pheromone and Lure Application Technology - SPLAT® (ISCA Technologies Inc., Riverside, CA) is a pheromone-infused wax, made of food grade materials that has the potential to replace or reduce insecticide application. The purpose of this study is to facilitate research and grower adoption of this technology by testing at field scales a mechanized applicator for SPLAT® and determining the level of control it provides for the three most detrimental pests of cranberry in Wisconsin