INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT AND INTEGRATED MITE MANAGEMENT IN ORCHARDS - CAN THEY COEXIST

At the core of an integrated pest management program for Pennsylvanian apple orchards is an integrated mite management program that is based on a natural enemy, the coccinellid Stethorus punctum punctum (LeCont e). The program relies upon the principles of ecological selectivity ( e.g. chemical selection, timing, dose and method of application) for t he organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. During the last 20 year s the tufted apple bud moth (TABM), Platynota idaeusalis (Walker), a d irect pest of apple, has developed resistance to these two chemical cl asses. In an effort to address this growing resistance problem, an int ensive research program was initiated in 1986 on how to manage insecti cide resistance in TABM while preserving the integrity of the integrat ed mite management program. One aspect of this research program is the investigation of biochemical and genetic approaches to resistance, in cluding an analysis of detoxification mechanisms, effects of host plan t allelochemistry on resistance and detoxification enzyme activities, reversion, gene flow and the isolation and characterization of a gene for glutathione transferase from TABM. Management approaches that have been developed and successfully implemented include pheromone mating disruption, parasitoids, ground-cover management including insecticide s, Bacillus thuringiensis Berl. products and insect growth regulators. Resistance management options for TABM are presented.