Member Symposium
Poster
Hannah J. Penn (she/her/hers)
Research Entomologist
USDA
Houma, Louisiana
Paul M. White
USDA
Houma, Louisiana
Blake Wilson
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Randy T. Richard
Biological Science Technician
USDA
Houma, Louisiana
Louisiana sugarcane is traditionally grown vegetatively from whole stalks, but new innovations in farm machinery and rising labor costs are increasing interest in billet planting. However, billets are more susceptible to soil-borne pathogens and pests, so may benefit from applications of fungicides and/or insecticides at planting to increase stands. Work in other crops has indicated chemical seed treatments decrease predator numbers and biological control potential. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the non-target effects of chemical seed cane treatments at planting on the red imported fire ant and other insect predators of the sugarcane borer, the most important economic pest of sugarcane in Louisiana. We sampled predators and measured borer control potential in plots treated with a neonicotinoid insecticide and/or fungicide applied as in-furrow sprays or seed cane dips. We then assessed fire ant survival and behavior following 48 h exposure to treatments in the laboratory. With the exception of one in-furrow sprayed field trial, treatments did not significantly impact fire ant numbers. Treatments also did not impact the abundance of other predators or sugarcane borer control potential in any field trial. Laboratory trials indicated no treatment effect on fire ant behaviors after exposure but had mixed results on survival depending on application method. Our data indicate that these seed cane treatments may not disrupt sugarcane borer control in Louisiana sugarcane. However, tests should be replicated under different field conditions to ensure that borer predation, particularly by red imported fire ants, is maintained with broader industry adoption.