Novel biocontrol approaches to controlling the large raspberry aphid
Title: A phenology-perceptive integrated biocontrol programme for Large raspberry aphid (Amphorophora idaei) control: PHENCONTROL
Funder: Growing Kent & Medway, Innovate UK
Industry partners: Asplins PO, Biobest, Rumwood Green Farm
Term: May 2023 to April 2025
Project leader: Francis Wamonje
The progressive loss of conventional spray products for aphid control in raspberry is creating major problems for growers, particularly in glasshouse and fixed tunnel structures, but across the industry generally. Populations of large raspberry aphid (Amphorophora idaei) have risen in the early spring months to the point that they often contaminate harvested fruit, rendering the berries unmarketable. This aphid species appears to have overcome gene resistance that was previously bred into many raspberry varieties and growers have struggled to achieve satisfactory biocontrol early in the season, when spring temperatures are too low for aphid parasitoids to work effectively. A more effective integrated approach to control is needed.
The project
NIAB scientists will test three innovative approaches as part of an integrated biocontrol programme. They will test a strategy to deploy Micromus angulatus (brown lacewing) for predation of aphid eggs and spring hatching female aphids, when temperatures are still low. Aware that there is a higher rate of natural predation of aphids on the edges of raspberry plantations near semi-natural habitats, they will examine the species achieving this control and aim to develop an optimal parasitoid species mix which will spread uniformly across the whole plantation. Previous research has shown that the larvae of Chrysoperla carnea (green lacewing) can effectively control hot-spot outbreaks of aphids, but their deployment is time-consuming and costly. In this project, NIAB entomologists will spray C. carnea eggs onto the crop foliage and monitor its subsequent development, establishment, and ability to control large raspberry aphid.