Control of weevils in strawberry production by using plant volatiles and other alternative methods

Damage done by weevils is increasing in Norwegian strawberry production. Solving this problem is given top priority by the Association of Norwegian Strawberry Growers in their ranking of R&D needs. The weevils are 1) the strawberry blossom weevil (Anthono mus rubi), and 2) the Otiorhynchus root weevils. A. rubi now survives up to four annual insecticide applications in important strawberry districts in SE Norway and is also the most serious pest insect in Norwegian organic strawberry production. Otiorhynch us weevils are distributed along the coast of South Norway, and no insecticides against this serious pest are approved after 2006. In the suggested project we will work with several alternative control methods and their integration: push-pull techniques e xploiting infochemicals, traps, and mechanical barriers, and biological control by entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi. Our results will be applicable for both conventional and organic production of strawberry, and for protected as well as open-field pro duction. The Norwegian Crop Research Institute has long experience in R&D of practical crop protection, and in the suggested project we will cooperate with experts on infochemicals and application of microbials from three countries, and with the Norwegian Agricultural Extension Service.