Evaluations of tactics for detection and management of raspberry crown borer, RCB, Pennisettia marginata (Harris) on blackberries were performed in Mississippi from January 2005 - July 2006. Randomized split plots with infested blackberries and certified nursery stock of two recommended cultivars, thorny ?Chickasaw? and thornless ?Apache? were planted. Pest management tactics targeting RCB included drenches: chemical insecticide bifenthrin, recently registered for RCB management; experimental pesticide E2Y45; and entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema feltiae. Insect pheromones (E,Z)3-13-octadecadien-1-ol and (E,Z)3-13-octadecadien-1-yl-acetate were evaluated as RCB lures. Effects of fungicides captan, pyraclostrobin + boscalid, lime-sulfur and insecticide acetamiprid on viability and infectivity of entomopathogenic nematode species, S. feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora were evaluated in laboratory bioassays with host greater wax moth larvae. RCB larvae and soil pests on and around infested blackberry plants were observed. Bait traps with 5 mg of (E.Z)3-13-octadecadien-1-ol captured an adult RCB on October 19, 2005. Laboratory bioassays indicated that lime-sulfur and pyraclostrobin + boscalid decrease nematode movement and infectivity.

Thesis (M.S.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.