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How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Peppers
Tomato (Potato) Psyllid
Scientific name: Bactericera cockerelli
(Reviewed 8/07,
updated 8/07)
In this Guideline:
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The adult psyllid is a small insect (about 0.12 inches or 3 mm) that
resembles a cicada. The adults have white or yellowish markings on the thorax,
clear wings, and lines on the abdomen between segments. The tiny eggs are laid
on stalks most commonly on the underside of leaves and along leaf margins and
are best seen with the use of a hand lens. Initially white, they turn a pink
color a few hours after they are laid.
Nymphs hatch from
eggs in 4 to 15 days and have scalelike flattened, oval, yellowish green to
orangish bodies with red eyes and three pairs of short legs. Older nymphs are
greenish and fringed with hairs and have wing buds, which make them easy to
distinguish from whitefly nymphs. They develop through five stages (instars) in
2 to 3 weeks before becoming winged adults. Nymphs feed most often on the underside
of leaves.
Tomato psyllids have an
extensive range of acceptable hosts, but solanaceous plants (tomatoes,
potatoes, nightshades) are preferred. Among tomato varieties, it has a
preference for the yellow pear tomato. In potatoes, it is referred to as the
potato psyllid.
Psyllids have the potential to build large populations rapidly in
peppers and produce large amounts of honeydew during their feeding. Significant
crop losses can occur from the build up of honeydew and sooty mold on fruit.
Management strategies are aimed at preventing the development of
large populations in the field when fruit is present. An application of
imidacloprid at planting is an important component of tomato psyllid
management. Monitoring fields by inspecting plants as well as the use of sticky
traps is essential to detecting a population before it can become established
and will help determine the need for inseason foliar treatments.
Biological Control
While predators and parasites may attack psyllids, most parasites attack too
late in the psyllid life cycle to stop crop loss and biological control does
not appear to be a promising control strategy in the field.
Organically Acceptable
Methods
Sprays of the Entrust formulation of spinosad are acceptable for use on
organically certified produce.
Monitoring
and Treatment Decisions
Monitor fields to determine the need for inseason treatments. Place yellow
sticky cards at the field margins near the tops of plants as an indicator of
psyllid movement into the field in areas where the psyllid occurs. If tomato
psyllids are caught in the traps, examine foliage of pepper plants on the field
margins for eggs and nymphs. If psyllids are present, a treatment may be warranted. Continue to treat if more than five
psyllids are found per plant. Be
sure to alternate treatment materials to help prevent the development of
insecticide resistance.
If psyllids are present
in the field, it is very important not to use carbamates (Sevin, Lannate,
Vydate) for the control of other pests as these materials actually promote the
development of psyllid populations.
| Common name |
Amount/Acre** |
R.E.I.+ |
P.H.I.+ |
| (trade name) |
|
(hours) |
(days) |
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| When choosing a pesticide, consider information
relating to impact
on natural enemies and honey bees and
environmental impact Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read label of product being used.
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| AT
PLANTING
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| A. |
IMIDACLOPRID |
| |
(Admire Pro) |
7–10.5 fl oz |
12 |
21 |
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MODE
OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 4A
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COMMENTS:
For a direct-seeded crop apply at planting as a side dress, through drip
irrigation, or over the top as seedlings emerge. For transplanted peppers,
apply at planting either through drip irrigation or as a soil application.
Does not harm most beneficials. To reduce the potential for the development
of resistance, avoid the use of neonicotinoids both as a soil and a foliar application on the same crop. |
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| GROWING
SEASON
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| A. |
ABAMECTIN* |
| |
(Agri-Mek) 0.15EC |
8–16 fl oz |
12 |
7 |
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MODE
OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 6
|
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COMMENTS:
Do not apply at less than 7-day interval. Do not exceed 48 fl oz/acre/growing
season. Do not apply in less than 20 gal water/acre. Do not make more than 2 sequential applications. |
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| B. |
PYRIPROXYFEN |
| |
(Knack) |
8–10 fl oz |
12 |
14 |
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MODE
OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 7C
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COMMENTS: An insect growth regulator that is not harmful to most beneficials. |
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| C. |
SPIROMESIFEN |
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(Oberon) 2SC |
7–8.5 fl oz |
12 |
7 |
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MODE
OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 23
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COMMENTS:
Do not exceed three applications/crop or make applications at less than 7-day intervals. |
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| D. |
SPINOSAD |
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(Entrust)# |
1.25–2.5 oz |
4 |
1 |
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(Success) |
4–8 fl oz |
4 |
1 |
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MODE
OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 5
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COMMENTS: Do not exceed 29 fl oz of Success or 9 oz of Entrust/acre/crop. |
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UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Peppers
UC ANR Publication 3460
Insects and Mites
E. T. Natwick, UC Cooperative Extension Imperial County
J. T. Trumble, Entomology, UC Riverside
Acknowledgment for contributions to Insects and Mites:
W. J. Bentley, UC IPM Program, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
R. L. Coviello, UC Cooperative Extension, Fresno County
C. G. Summers, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
W. E. Chaney, UC Cooperative Extension, Monterey County
C. F. Fouche, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County
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