Biological control of aphids on BC blueberries - Field trials

不列颠哥伦比亚省蓝莓上蚜虫的生物防治-田间释放：蓝莓焦枯病毒（BlScV）是不列颠哥伦比亚省（BC）蓝莓生产的一个严重经济问题。该病毒引起开花和叶枯萎，并使产量大幅度下降。 BlScV分布在不列颠哥伦比亚省的所有蓝莓产区。这种疾病在蓝莓植物中通过蓝莓蚜虫Ericaphis fimbriata传播。建议通过化学杀虫剂控制早季蚜虫，以减少病毒在蓝莓田内和蓝莓田之间的传播。 本项目调查了使用生物防治产品管理蓝莓蚜虫种群作为化学杀虫剂应用的替代品的可能性。2013年秋季的初步数据表明，在实验室中，棕色草蛉Micromus variegatus和捕食性摇蚊Aphidolophiaphidimyza都可以减少蓝莓蚜虫的数量。 特别是在公元前西南部春季典型的低温下，Micromus variegatus以蚜虫为食。 这两种昆虫都是由不列颠哥伦比亚省生物防治公司生产的，销售给种植者和害虫管理顾问。 在这个项目中，我们将进一步测试这些产品在蓝莓农场的操作条件下对蚜虫的生物控制，从而开发新的市场。 我们的目标是为不列颠哥伦比亚省蓝莓产业的蚜虫控制制定一个可持续的、以生态为基础的战略。 这项工作有可能减少农药对环境的影响，从而提高不列颠哥伦比亚食品的质量和安全。

Biological control of aphids on British Columbia blueberries - Field releases: Blueberry scorch virus (BlScV) is a serious economic problem for blueberry production in British Columbia (BC). The virus causes blossom and leaf blighting and substantial yield reductions. BlScV is distributed throughout all blueberry production areas of BC. This disease is transmitted among blueberry plants by the blueberry aphid, Ericaphis fimbriata. Early-season aphid control via chemical insecticides is recommended to reduce the spread of the virus within and between blueberry fields. This project investigates the potential for using biological control products to manage blueberry aphid populations as an alternative to application of chemical insecticides. Preliminary data from fall 2013 indicates that both Micromus variegatus, a brown lacewing, and Aphidoletes aphidimyza, a predatory midge can reduce populations of blueberry aphids in the laboratory. Micromus variegatus, in particular, feeds on aphids at the low temperatures typical of spring in southwestern BC. Both insects are produced by BC biological control companies for sale to growers and pest management consultants. In this project, we will further test these products for biological control of aphids under operational conditions on blueberry farms and, as a result, develop new markets for their use. Our objective is to develop a sustainable, ecologically-based strategy for aphid control in BC's blueberry industry. This work has the potential to reduce environmental impacts of pesticides and, in turn, improve the quality and safety of BC food products.