The Future of Vine Weevil Control

The new integrated biological approach against Black Vine Weevil

Pitcher GR

IPM Planning

Pitcher GR Use within IPM systems Monitoring Application guidance

Use within an IPM system Pitcher can be used alongside other biological controls to control Vine weevil Allow a minimum of 6 weeks after application of Pitcher before applying beneficial nematodes.

Before applying Nematodes ensure the correct species is selected based on soil/media temperature data.

(Consult ICL for temperature sensor information) Use week numbers to keep track of applications of Pitcher and beneficial nematodes.

Save all data collected for review later in the season to monitor success levels.

Susceptibility of ornamental plant species to vine weevil larvae

Conifers Susceptible Cupressocyparis (leylandii)

Pinus+

Juniperus

Taxus*

Rarely attacked

Thuja Trees and shrubs Susceptible

Rarely attacked

Azalea*

Hydrangea*

Pyracantha*

Amelanchier

Cytisus

Nerium

Calluna*

Kalmia

Rhododendron*

Aucuba

Eleagnus

Olearia

Camellia*

Laburnum

Ribes+

Berberis

Fagus

Philadelphus

Chaenomeles+

Malus

Rosa

Brachyglottis

Genista

Pittosporium

Cornus

Parthenocissus

Skimmia*

Buddleia

Hebe

Prunus laurocerasus

Cotoneaster

Photinia*

Viburnum*

Buxus

Hypercium

Ribes

Daboceia*

Pieris*

Vitis

Ceanothus

Ilex

Salvia

Erica*

Populus

Wisteria

Choisya

Lavender

Sambucus

Euonymus*

Potentilla

Cistus

Ligustrum

Spiraea

Fuchsia*

Prunus lusitanica*

Cordyline

Lonicera

Symphoricarpus

Corylus

Mahonia

Vinca

Weed hosts of vine weevil

*

Adult feeding also seen

This table represents information gathered from an industry survey undertaken in 2010 and from key research studies, it is reproduced for the purposes of guidance and should not be considered a definitive and exhaustive list ofsubjects.

A number of weed plant species are also susceptible to vine weevil including: Dandelion (Taraxacum spp.)

Docks (Rumex spp.)

Knotweeds (Polygonum spp.)

Plantains (Plantago spp.)

Willowherbs (Epilobium spp.)

These plants can act as food sources for either larval or adult vine weevil or both.

Susceptibility of ornamental plant species to vine weevil larvae

Herbaceous perennials Susceptible

Rarely attacked

Achillea+

Digitalis

Paeonia

Acanthus

Eryngium

Pansy

Allium

Epimedium*

Phlox

Ajuga

Erysimum

Penstemon

Artemisia+

Ferns

Polygonum

Alchemilla

Euphorbia

Persicaria

Aster

Francoa

Primula*

Aquilegia

Helenium

Pulmonaria

Astilbe

Geranium

Rheum

Astrantia

Helianthemum

Rudbeckia

Begonia*

Geum

Rumex

Coreopsis

Hemerocallis

Salvia

Bergenia*

Gladiolus

Saxifrage

Crocosmia

Leucanthemum

Verbascum

Campanula

Heuchera

Sedum

Dahlia

Lupinus

Veronica

Chrysamthemum

Heucherella

Sempervivum

Delphinium

Nepeta

Viola

Convallaria*

Hosta

Tellima

Echinacea

Osteospermum

Cyclamen

Iris

Tiarella

Dahlia

Lilium

Verbena

Dianthus

Liriope

*

Adult feeding also seen

Pitcher and Seeka treatment decision tree

Are plants to be treated produced in house ?

Yes

No

Adult Are adults ,eggs or larvae evident

Yes

Adults apply Pitcher. Larvae apply Seeka or Seeka CT

No

Continue weekly monitoring and treat if pest reappears

Monitor for Vine weevil in growing area

Quarantine and check for Vine weevil

Details for Pitcher and Seeka are available on the ICL website www.icl-protect.com

Move to growing area , monitor and treat if pest reappears

Adults apply Pitcher. Larvae apply Seeka or Seeka CT

Are adults, eggs or larvae evident

Eggs Yes

Stay in quarantine until treated

No

Move to growing area continue weekly monitoring treat if pest reappears

Larvae

Nematode applications Pitcher can be used alongside beneficial nematodes as previously explained ICL can advise on the correct species to use from the Seeka range and help with environmental monitoring with temperature sensors placed within the growing media.

The use of a compatible penetrant such as Transporter is key to maximise efficacy levels Ongoing monitoring of the Vine weevil population is paramount to ensure timely, targeted applications of Pitcher and Seeka are successful

Typical example: Heuchera (Own stock) Week 17: Apply Pitcher at 12g/m2 to freshly potted plants into 10cm pots .

Week 24: Apply Seeka Vine weevil as media temperature is 14 degrees Centigrade.

Continue with normal monitoring and applications of sprays for adult Vine weevil through the summer.

The use of adult traps is recommended Week 36: Apply Pitcher at 12g/m2 if adults are present.

Week 42: Monitor situation and Apply Seeka Vine weevil or Seeka CT if media temperature is below 12 degrees C to protect crop over the Autumn period.

Example 2: Cyclamen (Plug plants) Week 24: Plants received & checked. Potted into 10.5cm pots

Treat with Seeka Vine weevil.

Week 30: Adults found in traps and Pitcher applied at 24g/m2 Week 37: Continued monitoring has resulted in low population of larvae in crop. Treat with Seeka Vine weevil.

Week 46: Plants destined for Christmas sales and possibility of larvae in crop. Treat with Seeka CT as temperature data from Sensors indicate media temperature 10 degrees C. Monitor through to marketing.

Adult trap

Example 3: Taxus 9cm liners (under protection) Week 40: Plants received, quarantined and treated with Seeka CT

Week 46: Plants potted into 17cm pots. Adults found in traps . Treat with Pitcher at 12gms/m2 Monitor through the winter checking adult traps and pots for larvae.

Week 10: Evidence of low population of larvae. Treat with Seeka CT as temperature sensor data shows media temperature of 9 degrees C.

Week 17: Adults found in traps. Treat with Pitcher at 12gms/m2 and continue to monitor .

Week 27: Evidence of larvae found. Treat with Seeka Vine weevil as media temperature 15 degrees C.

Application

Pitcher GR

➢ Foliage should be dry before commencing application ➢ Dislodge any granules in foliage following application

➢ Irrigate thoroughly ➢ Ensure growing media does not dry out completely as this will restrict the release pattern of Pitcher ➢ Clean out application equipment thoroughly and ensure any unused granules are either distributed over a suitable crop or returned to the original product bag

Application ➢ Application of Pitcher should be as even as possible based on the recommended rates.

Example : Spread pattern on 17cm pot applied at 24g/m2

Application Application can be made in a number of ways: ➢ Gloved hand for small areas

➢ Shaker pots for small areas ➢ Spinning disc applicator ➢ Motorised blower applicator Application needs to be as accurate as possible based on recommended Rates to achieve maximum efficacy

Available application equipment :

Spinning disc applicator

Powered applicator

Rate tables: Pitcher has a maximum individual dose of 240kg/Ha per crop per calendar year.

Meaningful suppression has been demonstrated at 120Kg/Ha.

The table below provides rates for various application areas.

Pitcher application area

Rates

Square Metre

12-24 grams

100 square metres

1.2 – 2.4 Kg

1 Hectare (10,000 m2)

120 – 240 Kg

Rate table for various pot sizes ( Rate based on pots being pot thick per m2): Pot size

Rate per pot @ 240 Kg/Ha

9cm

0.195g (123 /m2)

10cm

0.24g (100/m2)

10.5cm

0.26g (83/m2)

11cm

0.289g (82.6/m2)

12cm

0.345g (69.4/m2)

15cm

0.541g (44.3/m2)

20cm

0.96g (25/m2)

25cm

1.5g

(16/m2)

Nematode applications temperature choice

Thank You