Great field day at the WSU NWREC with NARF (Northwest Agricultural Research Foundation). Presentations highlighted a diversity of agricultural research projects across multiple disciplines and crops: Entomology (Drs. Louis Nottingham and Charles Coslor), Plant Pathology (Drs. Lindsey du Toit and Chakradhar Mattupalli), Soils (Drs. Gabe LaHue and Deirdre Griffon-LaHue), and Horticulture (Dr. Carol Miles). Also […]
The US cherry and stone fruit industries have periodically experienced devastating outbreaks of X-disease phytoplasma (XDP) since the 1930s, with an ongoing epidemic occurring since 2010. This disease is critically impacting Prunus spp. and the stone fruit industry, causing underdeveloped, bitter, and misshapen fruit on economically important crops, primarily cherries, peaches, and nectarines, making the […]
Reflective groundcovers can improve crop yield and quality and deter pests by increasing light penetration into plant canopies. In pear (Pyrus communis L.) orchards, this could increase profitability and reduce reliance on insecticides to manage pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola [Foerster]). Two types of reflective groundcovers, metallized polyethylene film (metallized film) and white geotextile fabric (reflective […]
Claire Winslow (first semester Master’s student) won 2nd place for her poster on Spotted Wing Drosophila Integrated Pest Management at the Entomological Society of America’s Pacific Branch Meeting in Hawaii in April 2024. This was Claire’s first poster and conference as a graduate student, so it was very exciting for her and the lab.
Cacopsylla pyricola (Foerster) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) Updated by Louis Nottingham, Robert Orpet, WSU Entomology; Tianna DuPont, WSU Extension. May 2022. Adapted from by Everett C. Burts, Helmut Riedl, and John Dunley, originally published 1993. Pear psylla is an important pest of pear in Washington. Honeydew produced by pear psylla causes fruit russet, and serious infestations can […]
IPM was as effective as conventional management at controlling pear psylla by Molly Sayles, Robert Orpet, and Louis Nottingham November 28, 2022 IPM works by having a spray program that promotes natural enemies, which provided effective (and free!) control of pear psylla. This season revealed that IPM can control pear psylla as effectively as conventional […]
