Biocontrol by Drones For Blueberry Fields
The most efficient way to release natural enemies in your orchards
Why Using Biocontrol in Blueberry Fields?
Natural Enemies of Citrus Thrips and Western Flower Thrips
Citrus thrips (Scirtothrips citri) and western flower thrips(Frankliniella occidentalis) are pests that can have a significant impact on yield as they feed on flower buds responsible for the production of the following season. They are difficult to manage pests and are known to develop resistance to pesticides such as spinosad, leaving IPM and organic growers without effective solutions to control them.
Amblyseius swirskii
Stratiolaelaps scimitus
Advantages of releasing beneficials from a drone for blueberry growers
Easy access to the field
The drone is extremely effective in releasing beneficial insects in fields that were otherwise not accessible with a spraying tractor or even by foot because of the mud caused by the rain.
Better establishment than manual release
Obstacles in the middle of the field make it hard for field workers to release predatory mites by hand at a uniform rate, while the drone can do the application easily from the air.
Better use of your labor
Because of windy conditions or because field workers are covering several ranches, it can take a few days to have the labor force apply beneficials to different fields. With the drone, a single pilot could cover several ranches in the same amount of time.
Our Articles Related to Biocontrol in Blueberry Fields
Discover some of our articles about biological control in blueberry orchards
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Some predators (Mealybug destroyer) and parasitoids (Anagyrus wasp) have proven to be very efficient at controlling mealybugs
A discussion about biocontrol with Chrissie Davis of Koppert
A discussion about biocontrol and some misconceptions about it, about the history, opportunities, and challenges of its implementation in open fields, and about the new drone-based technologies used to release beneficial agents.
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