Use of Foliar-Applied Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) Seed Extract for the Control of the Birch Leafminer, Fenusa pusilla (Lepeletier) (Hymenoptera:Tenthredinidae)
The effect of 1.0% neenl (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) seed extract applied as a foliar spray against the birch leafminer (Fenusa pusilla (Lepeletier)) was compared to sprays of water and Metasystox-R™. Sprays were applied against the season's first generation, at oviposition (V-3-86) or early instar (V-10-86). Sprayed foliage was harvested and weighed at late instar, and adults were reared. The extract caused significantly more leafminer mortality than did water, and caused as much mortality as Metasystox-R™. Observations suggested that the extract took longer to kill leafminer larvae than did Metasystox-R™ thereby allowing for more foliar damage. There were no differences in efficacy between times of extract application.
Contributor Notes
We thank Helen Foster, Dr. Bart Fiori, and Bill Arehart of the NY State Agricultural Experiment Station, John Davidson and Stephanie Ginsberg of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, and Dan Donahue of Red Jacket Orchards, Geneva, NY for their assistance. Andy Sauerbier of McNair Nursery, Inc. let us use his nursery for the experiment. Dr. Frank Santamour, Jr., U. S. National Arboretum, identified birches used in the study. Dr. David Warthen, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, provided neem seed extract. The project was funded in part by a grant from the Horticultural Research Institute, Inc., 1250 I Street, N. W., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005.
2Research Entomologist
3Extension Associate, IPM House, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY 14456
4Associate Professor, Tree and Ornamental Plant Protection, State University of New York–CCFL, Canandaigua, NY 1442