ALPHA SCENTS, INC. — Department of Agriculture SBIR Phase I: Green June beetle (GJB), Cotinis nitida, is an important pest of grapes, peaches, apples a

Description

Green June beetle (GJB), Cotinis nitida, is an important pest of grapes, peaches, apples and all brambles. The beetles feed on the ripe fruit and inoculate it with fungi which cause fruit decay. As much as 80% of the fruit can be destroyed. Mass GJB outbreaks occur when the fruit is ready for harvest, thus the growers cannot use insecticide sprays (Pre-harvest and re-entry intervals extend beyond the time of the harvest). Available control measures are exclusion nets, planting sacrificial trap crop plots selectively sprayed to eliminate GJB in the area, and timely harvesting and removal of rotting fruit (which attracts this insect). Such control measures require planning ahead and forecasting dynamics of local GJB populations. Models forecasting the time and the dynamics of GJB outbreaks has not been developed and economic and effective population monitoring tools for GJB do not exist. Lures are at the stage of development, traps are very expensive (up to $26 a piece). One of the applicants has developed an inexpensive prototype of a GJB monitoring trap, and successfully used it in a study on GJB sexual dimorphism. All components of this trap prototype (including the lure) are inexpensive and available in local markets. We propose development of 1) effective controlled-release formulation for GJB attractants, 2) monitoring trap easy to manufacture by grower that can be coupled with a degree-day model predicting GJB flight, and 3) a novel, inexpensive, environmentally-friendly, easily deployed killing station.