Using Biopesticides to Combat Pests in Organic Apple Orchards 1of2

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Using Biopesticides to Combat Pests in Organic
Apple Orchards (1of2)
Biopesticides are microscopic but they can be
devastating to orchard pestsjust think about how
you feel when you have a cold!
Healthy
Plum Curculio
Nematodes Actually kill with digestive
bacteria Causing the Brown and Red Colors
Plum curculio adult and oviposition scar on apple
-Steinernema(Nematode)
Plum Curculio Larvae Dark Infected with
Nematodes, Light Healthy
-Heterorhabditis (Nematode)

• The fungi will continue to grow on the Plum
  Curculio until mortality.

Dr. Mark Whalon Zach Koan
Investigators Mark Whalon, Renee
Pereault Michigan State University Pesticide
Alternatives Laboratory http//whalonlab.msu.edu
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What are some of the Organic Orchard pests we
could control with Biopesticides?
Biopesticides under the Scope!
What are Biopesticides?
Since the early 1800s, we have tried all sorts
of chemicals to combat and kill pests in our
orchards. Entomologists at Michigan State
University such as Mark Whalon are experimenting
with a different way of controlling orchard pests
using biopesticides. Biopesticides are
pesticides which are derived from such natural
materials as animals, plants, fungi, bacteria,
viruses and certain minerals. If Biopesticides
are found to be effective( weve had some
positive results so far) they could be the magic
wand that organic farmers have been looking for

• Maggots
• Plum Curculio
• Codling Moth
• Leafrollers
• Oriental Fruit Moth
• Borers
• Aphids
• Fruit Worms
• Cat Facing Bugs

Codling Moth
Why use Biopesticides?
Plum Curculio

• More Sustainable?
• Cycling
• Wet Low Temp (Midwest)
• Low Resistance
• Attack Life Stages pesticides wont reach
• Use all year long
• Long-Term Effects
• Little or No Residues

What kind of Biopesticides are Michigan State
University Researchers experimenting with?

• Nematodes
• Fungi
• Virus
• Pheromones
• Attractants
• Feeding Stimulants

Granulosis Virus