April 2024 - 28

VEG CONNECTIONS
TABLE 1.
Product
Sil-MATRIX
PyGanic
Neemix
Water
Agent
Adalia bipunctata
Chrysoperla carnea
Orius insidiosus
Control
Active Ingredient
Potassium silicate
Pyrethrin
Azadiractin
NA
Product
Adalia system
BioCarnea cylinders of larvae
and egg tabs
BioOrius bottles
NA
Mode of action
Multiple
3A
Multiple
NA
Source
BioBest®
BioBee®
BioBee®
NA
Solution per liter/
Spray rate (ml of
product per plant)
10 ml / 20
1.42 ml / 20
1.27 ml / 20
NA
Release rate per
tunnel
200 larvae
1,000 larvae
8,000 eggs
1,000 adults
NA
Cost per ft2
$0.0067
$0.0062
$0.0225
Cost $/ft2
$0.41
$0.15
$0.29
NA
Table 1. Spray and biocontrol application information. Applications of the following rates were applied to plants,
in February 2023 and April 2023.
the farmer in 2022 ($10 per pound). Lastly, net returns
were obtained by subtracting total costs (production and
biocontrol costs) from the revenue.
The top three net returns were obtained from the
combination of C. carnea and PyGanic, C. carnea and
Sil-MATRIX, and C. carnea and Neemix at $2.71/ft².
Figure 2 illustrates the economic loss of each treatment
combination. The economic loss was determined by
multiplying the yield loss due to infestation with aphids
(per square foot) by the average price per pound of
spinach. This analysis allows farmers to compare the
potential economic loss of different biocontrol strategies
in comparison to the control treatment.
Figure 2 shows that the highest economic losses were
incurred under the combination of O. insidiosus and Neemix
($1.06/ft²) and O. insidiosus and water ($0.91/ft²). On the
other hand, the lowest economic losses were obtained
from the combination of C. carnea and PyGanic, C. carnea
and Sil-MATRIX, and C. carnea and Neemix, at $0.05/ft².
Best aphid management practices
At our research farm, all biocontrol predators reduced
the degree of aphid outbreak compared to the control
(no treatment). Among them, C. carnea provided the best
management and reduced aphids by 90%. Spray treatments
provided short-term management (up to 3 weeks) of
aphids in February, but sprays were less successful
in April. The high performance of biocontrol agents
following sprays, both in terms of aphid management
28 | APRIL 2024
John Pierre Zavala, a student pursuing a master's degree
at Purdue University, participated in the research.
and yield, indicates the compatibility of these tactics for a
cost-effective integrated pest management program.
Samantha Willden, Jean Pierre Zavala, Ariana P.
Torres and Laura Ingwell are all affiliated with Purdue
University. Willden is a postdoctoral researcher in the
Department of Entomology. Zavala is working on a
master's degree in the Department of Horticulture and
Landscape Architecture. Torres is an associate professor
in agricultural economics. Ingwell is an assistant
professor in the Entomology Department.

April 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2024

Editor's Letter
The Pest Whisperer?
Managing wildlife on the farm
Weed battle
Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association
Southeast honors
Why every operation needs two succession plans
Biopesticides and beneficial insects
Ag Labor Review
Farm Market & Agriculture
Classifieds
Advertiser Index
April 2024 - 1
April 2024 - 2
April 2024 - 3
April 2024 - Editor's Letter
April 2024 - 5
April 2024 - The Pest Whisperer?
April 2024 - 7
April 2024 - 8
April 2024 - 9
April 2024 - Managing wildlife on the farm
April 2024 - 11
April 2024 - 12
April 2024 - 13
April 2024 - Weed battle
April 2024 - 15
April 2024 - 16
April 2024 - 17
April 2024 - Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association
April 2024 - 19
April 2024 - Southeast honors
April 2024 - 21
April 2024 - Why every operation needs two succession plans
April 2024 - 23
April 2024 - Biopesticides and beneficial insects
April 2024 - 25
April 2024 - 26
April 2024 - 27
April 2024 - 28
April 2024 - 29
April 2024 - Ag Labor Review
April 2024 - 31
April 2024 - Farm Market & Agriculture
April 2024 - 33
April 2024 - Classifieds
April 2024 - Advertiser Index
April 2024 - 36
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