Fireworm Control, 1996

Materials were applied on 19 Aug to 13 by 13 ft plots in a pruned blueberry field at Township 19, Maine. There were 3 replications of each treatment and a minimum 5-ft untreated buffer strip around each plot. Treatments were blocked according to prespray population levels. Insecticides were applied at a rate of 25 gpa using a CO2-propelled 80-inch boom sprayer with 4, flat spray, 80002VS TeeJet nozzles operating at 35 psi. At treatment, larvae were early (green) instar and plants were at late tip die-back, early fruit bud set stage. On 16 Aug, all blueberry stems with webbed-together leaves were counted in each of 4 ft2 frames per plot. On all other dates, any stems with webbed-together leaves in the same 4 ft2 frames were cut and examined for: 1) presence of live fireworm larvae, or 2) dead or missing larvae. Live larvae were distributed back into the same frame area. No unusual weather conditions were noted during this test.