New Jersey IPM Report, 2021

NEERA meeting: April 23, 2021

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Project Director: George Hamilton

Project Co-Directors:
Richard Buckley, Plant Diagnostic Laboratory
Changlu Wang, Entomology
Dean Polk, Cooperative Extension

Project Goals

The project goals are:

to increase IPM awareness/adoption in NJ blueberries/wine grapes,
improve pollinator health in blueberries/cranberries,
improve support for the Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Center
improve IPM adoption in NJ Housing Authorities.

The goals of the IPM Specialty Crops project are:

to give growers a better understanding blueberry/wine grape pest biology,
train growers in post harvest screening practices
establish a weed IPM educational program for farmers.

The goals of the IPM for Pollinator Health project are:

to monitor hives in blueberries/cranberries for pests and pesticide residues
implement an area-wide management approach.

The goals of the IPM Support for Pest Diagnostic Facilities project are:

to provide diagnostic services to the general public, state and federal agencies, commercial/agricultural stakeholders and university researchers,
participate in NJ Department of Agriculture and USDA APHIS sponsored surveys.

The goals of the IPM Training and Implementation in Housing project are:

to provide training to housing staff and resident leaders at six NJ Housing Authorities
develop/implement model IPM contracts at the authorities.

Accomplishments

Major goals of the project

The goals of this project are to:

Develop, deliver, or enhance IPM programs offered to blueberry and grape growers,
Improve pollinator health by comparing pesticide residues in honey bee hives managed traditionally and those using practices developed by the BeeInformed Partnership run by the University of Maryland,
Improve the capabilities of the Rutgers Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory, and
Increase urban IPM training and implementation in New Jersey Housing Authorities.

What was accomplished under these goals?

Specialty Crops, Blueberries and Wine Grapes

During the last 3 years, 41 commercial blueberry growers, who produce over 75% of NJ blueberry production asked to participate in the Rutgers Blueberry IPM Program. Growers receive weekly scouting reports from blueberry industry funded IPM scouts. Educational programming was accomplished through scouting, IPM reporting to growers and the writing and distribution of newsletter articles and blog posts. To date since the start of the grant funding we have delivered 18 issues of the Blueberry Bulletin, and 20 issues of the Plant & Pest Advisory Newsletter Blog Posts.

A commercial grape IPM program was continued in cooperation with 4 of the largest NJ vineyards. A scouting report was used for routine pests during field visits. Information gathered during 2018 and during several previous years has allowed us to eliminate routine chlorpyrifos applications for grape root borer in 2019.

Growers reduced routine insecticide applications for grape berry moth in favor of 2 specific applications timed by a degree day model. Grape IPM information is made available on the Rutgers Plant & Pest Advisory Fruit Edition blog post and emailed to 18 growers.

Commercial blueberry, grape and tree fruit growers attended 17 educational sessions conducted by Rutgers Fruit IPM program staff, totaling 1212 contacts in 19 presentations. IPM staff have made over 700 field visits with commercial growers since the start of the grant.

Honey Bee IPM

A collaborative program was continued with 5 commercial beekeepers doing contract pollination in NJ blueberry and cranberry crops.

Objectives include:

quantifying bee losses during blueberry and cranberry pollination,
providing improved management recommendations to both fruit growers and beekeepers, and
establishing improved communication among fruit growers and beekeepers.

During the spring of 2020, 36 hives are being monitored during pollination periods and followed throughout the season. A fall 2020 meeting is planned with commercial beekeepers who provide over 18,000 hives for Vaccinium pollination. A set of bee safety recommendations was generated because of this program and are being refined in 2020. This resulted in growers managing 2,000 acres of blueberries to apply fungicides at night instead of in daylight hours, to reduce pre-bloom insecticide applications, eliminate 1 bee toxic material, eliminate post-bloom bee holding area close to fields, and comb rotations of every 3 years. Since September 1, 2019 beekeeper attended the 11 educational sessions conducted by Rutgers Fruit IPM program staff mentioned above, totaling 522 contacts.

IPM training and implementation of IPM-based pest control contracts in public housing

To date, 16 public housing locations in four New Jersey cities were interviewed and pest surveys were conducted:

Trenton, NJ: Trenton Center West, Trenton Center East;

Paterson, NJ: Masiello, Canfield, Cotton Homes, Griffin, Barnert, McBride;

Jersey City, NJ: Berry Gardens, Booker-T, Hudson Gardens, Holland Gardens, Marion Gardens; Linden, NJ: Ann Jefferson building (1601 Dill Ave), building 2 (1551 Dill Ave), building 3 (1425 Dill Ave).

Staff from the department of entomology at Rutgers University helped recruit the housing authorities and delivered the training. IPM trainings were provided to Housing Authorities staff at Trenton (July 2018) and Jersey City (December 2018). The results of this work is currently being analyzed for publication; however, in one building at one of the Linden NJ locations the number of rodent infestations decreased from 30 apartments with bait feeding activity to 1 in a building after the Linden Housing Authority implemented a 3 month rodent IPM program.

Over all, approximately 1,873 (64.6%) apartments, out of 2,899 dwelling units, were accessed. A total of 1,268 (43.7%) interviews were conducted. Among these buildings, 7% had bed bugs, 41% had cockroaches, and 15% had rodents. The program will continue to recruit additional housing authorities to conduct IPM training and implementation.

Since September 2019, the housing authorities in Patterson (46 apartments) and Irvington (192 apartments), NJ were added to the program. Pest inspections and interviews by Rutgers University staff were conducted and the data collected is currently being analyzed.

Plant Diagnostic Services

Between September 1, 2019 and June 3, 2020 the staff associated with the Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory processed over 2,500 samples. The bulk of these samples were routine samples (1,600). The remainder were processed as part of on-going surveys conducted by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture CAPS program. They included samples examined for spotted stem borer, false codling moth, small brown planthopper.

Laboratory also processed 100 blueberry nematode samples for the Rutgers blueberry IPM program and ~50 oak wilt samples for the NJ Community Forest Service.

Laboratory personnel were involved in numerous talks (200) in undergraduate courses, grower meetings, landscape IPM short courses, golf course educational sessions, and master gardener training 7,345 participants trained).

What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?

During the life of the project so far, 9 field scouts (3/year) were trained by Co-PI Polk to monitor and identify various insect and disease pests of blueberries and grapes. In addition, he began the training of a graduate student in 2019/2020 whose research involves the pollinator health pollinator objectives of the project. Co-PI Wang also trained two graduate students and one post-doc during the completion of the urban housing IPM objectives.

How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?

Blueberry and Grape IPM

10/29/19 “Spotted Lanternfly Workshop” Biglerville, PA. 68 extension, government and research professionals.

01/08/20 “Spotted Lanternfly in New Jersey” Hammonton Environmental Commission. 12 municipal officials.

01/15/20 “Research & Education to Reduce Bee Losses During Pollination and Honey Production” Delaware Beekeepers Association, Delaware Ag Week, Harrington, DE. 112 beekeepers and farmers.

02/01/20 “Update on Pesticide Impacts on Honey Bees Used for NJ Highbush Blueberry Pollination,” The New Jersey Beekeepers Association Annual Winter Meeting, Columbus, NJ. 165 beekeepers.

02/04/20 “Invasive Fruit Flies & Implications for Sour Rot” New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show, Atlantic City. 54 wine grape growers.

02/05/20 “Update on Pesticide Impacts on Honey Bees Used for NJ Highbush Blueberry Pollination” New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show, Atlantic City. 98 blueberry growers.

03/04/20 “Update on Pesticide Management Products - Generics, Combinations & Bee Warnings” North Jersey Tree Fruit Meeting. Hunterdon County Cooperative Extension. 62 fruit growers.

03/05/20 “Update on Pe Management Products - Generics, Combinations & Bee Warnings” South Jersey Tree Fruit Meeting. Gloucester County Cooperative Extension. 33 fruit growers.

03/09/20 “Details on Honey Bee Health Studies” Blueberry Open House, Hammonton, NJ 92 commercial blueberry growers.

03/26/20 “Bees and Pollination Services” Blueberry Twilight Webinar. 55 commercial blueberry growers.

04/15/20 “Oriental Fruit Moth Timing and Model Use” Tree Fruit Twilight Webinar. 51 commercial tree fruit growers.

04/28/20 “Insecticides, Market MRLs and Ratings for SWD.” Blueberry Twilight Webinar. 48 commercial blueberry growers.

05/12/20 “IPM Update - Reduced Crop IPM Practices.” NJ Tree Fruit Twilight Meeting - Webinar. 38 commercial tree fruit growers.

05/20/20 “Early Season Grape Pests.” NJ Twilight Wine Grape Meeting - Webinar. 42 commercial wine grape producers.

05/28/20 “Integrating SWD Control with Other Pest Management.” - Webinar. E 50 commercial blueberry growers.

IPM training in public housing

06/28/19 Reducing Pest Infestations and Health Hazards Low-income Homes. Mid-Atlantic Lead and Healthy Homes Summit.

Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory

09/09/19 Your Climate Resilient Urban Grassland, Master Gardeners Training Program Ewing, NJ

09/23/19 The Art and Science of Disease Diagnosis, Master Gardeners Training Program Morristown, NJ

09/24/19 The Art and Science of Disease Diagnosis, Master Gardeners Training Program Roseland, NJ

09/26/19 Insect Pests of Shade Trees, Morris Arboretum School of Arboriculture Philadelphia, PA

10/02/19 The Art and Science of Disease Diagnosis, Master Gardeners Training Program Flemington, NJ

10/16/19 The Art and Science of Disease Diagnosis, County College of Morris Horticulture Course Randolph, NJ

10/18/19 Advanced Turf Disease Workshop (6hr) - Advanced Turf Disease Short Course New Brunswick, NJ

10/21/19 Cultural Disease Control Strategies, Emergency Pesticide Recertification Short Course New Brunswick, NJ

10/24/19 New and Improved Invasive Pests, New Jersey Shade Tree Federation Atlantic City, NJ

11/01/19 The Art and Science of Disease Diagnosis, Master Gardeners Training Program Hackensack, NJ

11/06/19 Rhizoctonia Diseases in Cool and Warm Season Turf, West Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association Morgantown, WV

11/07/19 Too Much of Everything is Just Enough! 2019 Disease Review, Eastern Shore Association of Golf Course Superintendents Dewey Beach, DE

11/14/19 The Art and Science of Disease Diagnosis, Master Gardeners Training Program Passaic County

11/21/19 The Art and Science of Disease Diagnosis, Master Gardeners Training Program Mercer County

12/05/19 Pest Bull Session: Diseases of Shade Trees, ISA of PA-DE-NJ Philadelphia, PA

12/10/19 Key Diseases of Herbaceous Ornamentals in Landscape Beds, New Jersey Green Expo Turf and Landscape Conference Atlantic City, NJ

12/10/19 The Trouble with New Jersey Pines, New Jersey Green Expo Turf and Landscape Conference Atlantic City, NJ

12/11/19 Too Much of Everything is Just Enough! 2019 Disease Review, New Jersey Green Expo Turf and Landscape Conference Atlantic City, NJ

12/11/19 Practical IPM for Sports Turf, New Jersey Green Expo Turf and Landscape Conference Atlantic City, NJ

12/12/19 Buckley’s Bootcamp: Spotted Lanternfly and Lotsa Other Suckers, New Jersey Green Expo Turf and Landscape Conference Atlantic City, NJ

12/12/19 Buckley’s Bootcamp: Fungicide Selection and Use for Landscape Turf, New Jersey Green Expo Turf and Landscape Conference Atlantic City, NJ

01/08/20 Emerald Ash Borer and Spotted Lanternfly - Sierra Club of Mercer County Mercer County

01/08/20 Problems Down Below: Diseases of Annuals, Perennials, and Ground Covers - North Jersey Ornamental Horticulture Conference Morris County

01/14/20 The Magical Mushrooms of Turf - New York State Turf and Landscape Association: Professional Conference and Trade Show Westchester, NY

01/17/20 Leaf Feeding Insects, Pest Management in Landscape Turf Short Course New Brunswick, NJ

01/17/20 Basic Turf Diseases: Pick Your Best Defense, Pest Management in Landscape Turf Short Course New Brunswick, NJ

01/17/20 The Complete White Grub, Pest Management in Landscape Turf Short Course New Brunswick, NJ

01/23/20 The Art and Science of Disease Diagnosis, Landscape IPM Short Course New Brunswick, NJ

01/22/20 Key Insect Pests in New Jersey Landscapes, Landscape IPM Short Course New Brunswick, NJ

01/24/20 Leaf Spot Diseases in Turf: The Case for Proper Seed Selection, Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council: Eastern PA Turf Conference Morgantown, PA

01/25/20 Christmas Tree Update: The Trouble with Spruce - New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers Association Bordentown, NJ

01/27/20 Problems Down Below: Diseases of Annuals, Perennials, and Ground Covers - Penn St ate Winter Turf and Ornamentals School Grantville, PA

02/07/20 Key Diseases of Ornamental Plants - Plant Western NY Conference and Trade Show Buffalo, NY

02/07/20 Rhododendron: Royalty or Roadkill - Plant Western NY Conference and Trade Show Buffalo, NY

02/13/20 Boxwood: Now You See Them, Soon You Won’t (.5hr) - Grass Roots, Inc. Open House Randolph, NJ

02/13/20 Winter on the Golf Course (.5hr) - Grass Roots, Inc. Open House Randolph, NJ

02/19/20 2019 Disease Observations in the Landscape, Fisher and Sons 2020 Sales Conference Malvern, PA

02/20/20 Basic Turf Diseases: Pick Your Best Defense, Maryland Nursery and Landscape Garden Association: Chesapeake Green Linthicum Heights, MD

02/24/20 Pesky Pine Problems, Brooklyn Landscape Gardeners Association Annual Seminar Brooklyn, NY

02/26/20 Key Diseases of Ornamental Plants - Connecticut Grounds Keeper Association: Turf and Landscape Conference Plantsville, CT

03/04/20 Pine Wilt and Other Maladies of New Jersey Pines - Garden St ate Tree Conference Atlantic City, NJ

03/05/20 Spotted Lanternfly and Friends, Master Gardeners Training Program and Webinar Roseland, NJ

03/11/20 Leaf Spot Diseases in Turf: The Case for Proper Seed Selection, Central Jersey Turf and Ornamentals Workshop Manalapan, NJ

03/12/20 If It’s Summer, Must be Summer Patch, Golf Course Superintendent Association of New Jersey: Spring Education Seminar Kenilworth, NJ

03/17/20 Household Insect Pests, Master Gardeners Training Program Webinar Essex County

03/24/20 The Art and Science of Disease Diagnosis, Master Gardeners Training Program Webinar Monmouth/Ocean Counties.

What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?

Blueberries and Wine Grapes

Demonstration, monitoring and management recommendations for the combined invasive pest complex brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), spotted wing drosophila (SWD), and spotted lantern fly (SLF) in stone fruit, and
Demonstration, development of scouting techniques, and management recommendations for the movement of SWD between susceptible cherry, blueberry, caneberry, and stone fruit crops in diverse farm ecosystems.

Pollinator Health

Improve pollinator health by comparing pesticide residues in honey bee hives managed traditionally and those using practices developed by the Bee Informed Partnership run by the University of Maryland,
Analyze and compare the amounts and types of pesticides residues found in the two programs, modify traditional production activities based on the findings, and
Continue with a third year comparing residues once the changes are implemented.

Plant Diagnostic Services

Continue to increase capabilities through education of pest management professionals and the general public about services offered, and
Continue and expand sample identification opportunities with the New Jersey department of Agriculture as part of ongoing and newly instituted programs.

Urban Housing

Provide urban IPM training and implementation to two additional New Jersey Housing Authorities,
Work with residents and staff in the housing authorities to implement modifications to pest control practices, and
Access the effectiveness of the modifications.

Target Audience

The target audiences for this project are pest control operators working in urban housing complexes, agricultural producers, landscapers, golf course superintendents, staff and residents in low-income communities located in Trenton, Jersey City, and Newark, and the general public.

Citations

Oudemans, P. (Coor. Editor), Besancon, T., Pavlis, G., Polk, D., Rodriguez-Saona, C., 2020. 2020 Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey. Rutgers Cooperative Extension. E265. 49 pp.

Polk, D. 2020. “Plant and Pest Advisory-Fruit Edition,” Coordinating editor and principal author for weekly Fruit IPM information, 22 issues. Circulation over 200 and available on the world wide web.

Polk, D. 2020. “The Blueberry Bulletin,” contributing editor for weekly blueberry IPM information. Circulation 167 and available on the world wide web.

Urbaneja-Bernat, P., Polk, D., Sanchez-Pedraza, F., Benrey, B., Salamanca, J., and Rodriguez-Saona, C. 2020. Non-crop habitats serve as a potential source of spotted-wing drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) to adjacent cultivated highbush blueberries. The Canadian Entomologist doi.org/10.4039/tce.2020.2.

Wang, C. Submitted. Prevalence and patterns of pest infestations in low-income communities. Journal of Economic Entomology

Changes/Problems

Should we receive a fourth year of funding the following changes will be made:

Blueberries and Wine Grapes

Demonstration, monitoring and management recommendations for the combined invasive pest complex brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), spotted wing drosophila (SWD), and spotted lantern fly (SLF) in stone fruit, and
Demonstration, development of scouting techniques, and management recommendations for the movement of SWD between susceptible cherry, blueberry, caneberry, and stone fruit crops in diverse farm ecosystems.

Urban Housing

Provide urban IPM training and implementation to two additional New Jersey Housing Authorities,
Work with residents and staff in the housing authorities to implement modifications to pest control practices, and
Access the effectiveness of the modification.