IPMnet

In 2023, we monitored and received reports of spotted lanternfly instar development and population levels and locations. Here is a summary from those reports.

In 2021, the University of Maryland Extension Commercial Ornamental Horticulture team with Kirk Floyd, KDrone Services, and Brian Kunkel, University of Delaware, looked at using a drone to spray arborvitae trees for bagworm control in a Maryland nursery. Details and the results of this trial have been published in the March 1, 2022 issue of GrowerTalks.

Traditional methods of spray applications involve extensive PPE, water use and labor time. Drones can be used instead of actual employees in the field to reduce the risk of exposure, the need for extensive and uncomfortable PPE, and water use for dilution. We set out to look at the efficacy of drone spray applications against traditional methods, such as an airblast sprayer for the control of gymnosporangium rust on Amelanchier.