Sparganothis degree-day model benchmark

Based on our degree-day (DD) model for Sparganothis fruitworm, peak flight is expected at around 884 DD and first eggs hatched expected at 895 DD (see chart). As of June 21, Sparganothis has accumulated 951 DD (using April 15 as biofix). This indicates that we have passed peak flight and eggs have just started to hatch. I will keep you updated as the season progresses.

We would like to invite all cranberry growers to the 2018 Cranberry Growers Twilight Meeting.

Location:  P.E. Marucci Center, 125A Lake Oswego Rd., Chatsworth, NJ

Date:        July 03, 2018

Time:        5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M

Agenda

5:00-5:30 PM   “Pesticide Regulation and Safety Update”, Patricia Hastings, Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator

5:30-6:00 PM   Dinner

6:00-6:30 PM   “Monitoring for Cranberry Insects”, Dr. Cesar Rodriguez-Saona, Extension Specialist, Entomology

6:30-7:00 PM   “Update on Cranberry Diseases”, Dr. Peter Oudemans, Extension Specialist, Pathology

7:00-7:30 PM   “Update on Herbicide Registration and Weed Management for NJ Cranberry”, Dr. Thierry Besancon, Assistant Extension Specialist, Weed Science

7:30-8:00 PM “Frost Damage in Cranberries”, Dr. Nicholi Vorsa, Professor and Director, Rutgers P.E, Marucci Center

Pesticide credits will be issued at the conclusion of the meeting.

Blunt-nosed leafhoppers are vectors of a phytoplasma that causes false blossom disease in cranberries. This disease

Nakorn Pradit, graduate student, Entomology

causes abnormalities in flowers, which include shortened, discolored and streaked petals, enlarged calyx, straighten inflorescence, and abnormal development of floral parts into leaves (phyllody). False blossom imposed a severe threat to the cranberry industry in the US in the first half of last century. However, in the second half of last century, management of leafhoppers through the development of resistant varieties and effective chemical controls reduced its incidence. Recently, the disease has re-appeared in many New Jersey cranberry farms due to changes in management practices and the use of new (possibly more susceptible) varieties. To address this issue, the entomology program at the Rutgers PE Marucci Center is conducting studies to understand the effects of phytoplasma-infected cranberry plants on resistance to leafhoppers and other insect herbivores. This research is being led by Nakorn Pradit, PhD student in the Department Entomology (Rutgers U.). We are asking two main research questions: 1. Are phytoplasma-infected cranberry plants more resistant or susceptible to leafhoppers and other non-vector insect pests? and 2) what are the mechanisms of this resistance/susceptibility? These studies will help identify possible mechanisms of insect pest resistance in cranberries and develop tools for improving control methods against insect vectors and other pests of cranberries.