Semiochemical Management of the Yellowmargined Leaf Beetle for the Small Crucifer grower.

The most serious insect pest of organic crucifers in the south is the yellowmargined leaf beetle (YMLB), Microtheca ochroloma (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Researchers and other stakeholders are challenged to develop effective alternative pest management practices for adoption by organic and conventional producers. For the past 6 years, ISCA Technologies and our collaborators have been working on the manipulation of the behavior of the pest using safe natural chemicals (semiochemicals) to effect the management of YMLB and we have identified several promising attractants. We will formulate these attractants into a proprietary long lasting matrix formulation called SPLAT.Successful development of SPLAT YMLB will bring a highly effective, low-input, and organic pest management technology to the market, one that will reduce the need for pesticide use in crucifer vegetable production, and consequently decrease the human health risks and adverse environmental effects associated with toxic conventional insecticides.