Sept 2003
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Olive Fruit Flies:
In the following photograph, the fruit flies at the top are females, the ones at the left are males. Along the bottom is detritus.
-- Paul Vossen
University of California
Cooperative Extension
On April 21, 2003, The Department of Pesticide Regulation reissued the Section 18 for GF-120(Spinosad) bait spray to remove the restriction on the number of applications allowed in a year. The exemption is valid until Dec 5, 2005.
DPR document1
DPR document2
An ecological risk assessment for spinosad use on cotton.
Pest Manag Sci, 2002. 58(1): p. 70-84.
Abstract:
Spinosad is a reduced-risk insecticide with a novel mode of action that provides an alternative to older classes of insecticides such as organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids. A comprehensive ecological risk assessment for spinosad use in US cotton crops is presented within a framework of tiered levels of refinement following the guidelines of the US EPA for ecological risk assessments. Toxicity information for a variety of species is documented and utilized, environmental concentrations estimated, and risk characterizations in the form of risk quotients are quantified. Results indicate that spinosad use in cotton does not exceed the most conservative Tier I levels of concern (LOC) values for groundwater, mammals and birds or acute risk to aquatic organisms. Use of very conservative Tier I screening methods resulted in exceeding LOC values for chronic exposure for some aquatic organisms, thus prompting further refinement. When the exposure prediction was refined using less conservative, Tier II mechanistic environmental fate transport models to predict offsite transport and environmental concentrations, chronic risk was not predicted for these species. Spinosad is acutely toxic to bees under laboratory conditions, but toxicity of residue studies and field studies indicate that under actual use conditions the impact on bees is minimal.
Please note that statistics received in late March 2003 from the tap counts indicate a marked increase in olive fruit fly activity in both the southern and northern regions. This is cause for concern so early in the year. This may be a result of the mild winter we experienced this year. Growers must be proactive in managing this pest. Please use traps to detect the fly. If detected, begin management of the fly immediately with Spinosad (GF120)
Certi/AgriSense Attract & Kill Device Device
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation issued two Section 18's on November 26, 2002 for the Certi/AgriSense Attract and Kill Device.
Commercial use expires February 28, 2003.
Ornamental/Non-commercial use expires August 31, 2003.
FOR ATTRACT & KILL DEVICE
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has revised the expiration date of the recently released Section 18 for the Attract and Kill Device for olive fly. The expiration date is now February 28, 2003. All other regulations remain the same:
Commercial Use - Expires February 28, 2003
- Section 18 #02-22
- 42 devices per acre
- maximum of 38,000 acres statewide to be treated
- permit required from county ag commissioner
- applications shall be made by or under supervision of certified applicator
- expires February 28, 2003
For commercial olive groves the devices come in sets of three. All have a square white ammonia lure and one in each set of three carries a purple pheromone lure.
The device is impregnated with an insecticide (lambda cyhalothrin) which is fatal when the fly comes in contact. The devices are not sticky so do not need to be serviced during their lifetime.
Devices should be hung as high as practical on the sunny side of the tree
Company research indicates the devices are effective against olive fly for 5-6 months.
The product will be available through the following Certis distributors:
- Helena Chemical Company
- Western Farm Services
- United Agri Products (UAP)
- I.A.P.
- Wilbur-Ellis/John Taylor
Certis will be bringing in enough additional product to cover another 700 commercial acres. It should be at the distributors (listed above) by the end of January. There is not enough time for the company to produce a larger quantity than this.
Further questions about the product should be adressed to your county ag commissioner or the distributors listed above.
AgriSense/Certis Attract & Kill Device for Olive Fly
Report Due: February 28, 2004
File Symbols: 02-CA-21 through 02-CA-23 (Commercial Olives)
02-CA-24 through 02-CA-26 (Ornamental Olives)
The Environmental Protection Agency hereby grants specific
exemptions under the provisions of section 18 of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended, to the
California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Pesticide
Regulation for use of the unregistered product Olive Fly Attract and
Kill containing the ingredients lambda-cyhalothrin (toxicant), ammonium
bicarbonate (food lure) and spiroketalamine (pheromone) to control the
recently introduced olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae). These
specific exemptions are subject to the conditions set forth in your
request as well as the following conditions and restrictions:
This is the first time this product has been requested under
section 18. The registrant submitted a section 3 registration
application for this product which is under review with EPA, at this
time. Because this is a first-time request and there is an application
pending for the registration of this product, progress toward
registration is adequate for the purposes of this requested emergency
program.
A. Add the following to the, "General Direction for Use" section,
"Traps should be hung out of the normal reach of children and
pets."
A. Residents and the public must be notified 24 hours in advance
of planned program operations and advised of the treatment and
appropriate cautions.
________/s/______________________________
James J. Jones,
Deputy Director,
Office of Pesticide Programs
Date:___11/14/2002__________________
cc: U.S. EPA Region IX
Attn: Glenda Dugan
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Division of Field Science (HFC-141)
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Attn: Ms. Donna Porter
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)
Case Processing Branch (HF5-607)
200 C Street, SW
Washington DC 20204
Attn: Ms. Sonia Delgado
California Department of Health Services
Food and Drug Branch
714 P Street Rm 1253
Sacramento, CA 95814
The COOC has received information that Section 18 for the "Kill Trap"
has been approved by the California Department of Pesticide Registration
and has been forwarded to the EPA for their approval. We expect approval
by the EPA by mid-October. An update will be provided as soon as
received.
Weekly Olive Fruit Fly Trap Count statistics are available from the
COOC office for Napa County, the Southern region (N. Bakersfield,
Lindsay, Exeter, Woodlake, Fresno and Madera) and the Northern
region (Butte,Glenn and Tehama counties). These statistics provide weekly
totals of the number of male and female fruit flies trapped at the
various project site locations within each region.
We have received some encouraging information from COOC Board Member
Jamie Johansson who is also a member of the COOC Olive Fly/Agriculture
Committee. After trapping fruit flies on a regular basis, a large olive
producer in the Oroville area has recently advised Jamie that after
application of Spinosad/GF 120, the inspected traps were fly-free.
I have also received information that some growers in Napa county have
had recent success in eliminating the fly by the use of Spinosad.
Jamie has also provided some additional information regarding
application of Spinosad. Jamie recently met with a Dow representative
and received the following recommendations: The 4 to 1 ratio is the
recommended mix(56 ounces water to 14 ounces of product for a total of
70 ounces per acre). Make sure that the droplets are at least 5 mm in
size. This means that the nozzle flow should be a steady stream. Trouble
could develop if you are using a fine mist. For appropriate nozzle size,
talk with the company where you bought the Spinosad and tell them that
your target is 70 ounces per acre. You may wish to bring the owners
manual of the spray tank you are using. The Dow rep indicated that a
hand pump may be used as well.
Hope that this information is helpful and if you would like to share
your experience or provide suggestions or recommendations we would be
very appreciative.
June 20, 2002
We have received notification today that there are
strong indications that it is time to start the bait treatments in some
regions. Indications of pit hardening have been noted in the southern
counties of California and there has been a significant increase of fly
activity in all of the traps in that area particularly in the Madera
region.There is a large increase in the number of male flies that are
coming into the pheromone traps and research indicates that the females
are most likely ready to mate and lay eggs. It has been recommended that
bait treatment begin within 5 days of pit hardening.
Noted below are some recommendations for treatment:
GF 120 a formulated Spinosad bait of Dow AgriSciences is all that is
currently available. It has a Section 18 emergency registration so a
permit will be required for its application to any property. As a
Section 18 material, it must also be applied by a qualified applicator.
The GF 120 label allows between 10-20 ounces of formulated product per
acre per application, with up to 19 applications per year. Last season.
most growers used the 10 ounce rate.This may not be sufficient as the
OFF population has grown. It is recommended that for 2002, 14 ounces of
active ingredient be used per acre per application. It is recommended
that GF 120 be sprayed every 7 days from pit hardening to harvest. Last
year the spraying was every 10-14 days but that was thought to be
insufficient.
GF 120 can be diluted to 1:1.5(one part GF 120 and 1.5 parts water) up
to 1:4(one part GF120 and 4 parts water).
Ground application is recommended. Air applications are not recommended
due to the small droplet size that result. For best effect, large
droplets are needed(4- 5 mm in diameter). The solution should be
squirted proportionately to the upper half of each tree. Divide the
amount of solution per acre by the number of trees per acre to determine
the amount of solution to apply to each tree. Cover approximately a 2
foot diameter area within the canopy on the north side of each tree. At
the dilution rate of 1:4 GF 120 to water and application of 14 ounces of
GF 120, the volume of the finished spray solution should be 70 ounces
per acre.
The fly population is quite active in October and November. Some of the
highest trap catches have been recorded in those months. To reduce the
potential for heavier fly populations the following spring, it is
recommended that you apply GF 120 through mid-November.
As you know, the growers and processors of California black ripe olives have joined together through the California Olive Association (COA) to present a united front before government policymakers in an effort to improve the economic vitality of the California olive industry. Together, we are working to improve the international trade environment, make our government aware of the unfair subsidy programs of the European Union, and increase government funding for assistance to develop labor saving equipment - notably mechanical harvester technology. Last week, the COA representatives traveled to Washington D. C. to further this mission.
The purpose of this trip was to discuss a variety of issues (foreign subsidies, the olive fruit fly and the mechanical harvester) impacting the California olive industry with U. S. trade official, and members of the California Congressional delegation.
The California olive industry representatives on the trip included: Greg Childress, olive grower; Dennis Burreson, olive grower; Bill McFarland, Musco Family Olive Company and COA President; Mike McLaughlin, Bell-Carter Foods and COA Vice President; Jeff Boese, President/CEO of the California League of Food Processors (CLFP); and Bill Grigg, COA Secretary/Treasurer and CLFP Vice President/Government Affairs.
On May 1st Dennis Burreson and Bill McFarland testified before the U. S. International Trade Commission regarding the possible effect of the reduction or elimination of existing U. S. tariffs on table olives. Their testimony strongly objected to reducing or eliminating the tariff on imported black ripe olives. They stated the California olive industry is fighting a losing battle against Spanish imports. Spanish olive growers get over $2 billion in production subsidies annually, California olive growers get nothing; Spanish olive processors get subsidies to purchase processing equipment, California processors get nothing; and farm labor costs in Spain are half the labor costs in California.
While Dennis and Bill were testifying the rest of us spent the first day visiting a variety of officials who have an influence on U. S. trade policy including: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), United States Trade Representative (USTR), USDA FAS Multilateral Trade Division, USDA Economic Research Service, U. S. State Department, and the Department of Commerce. Our message: the Unites States' objective for the next round of WTO negotiations should be to eliminate subsidies, both foreign and domestic, over a specified period of time.
California specialty crops are very concerned about the U. S. trade negotiator's commitment to reduce foreign subsidies. Our concern is based on the false assurance we were given by our negotiators during the last WTO trade agreement (Uruguay Round) that subsidies would be phased out over a period of time. What actually has occurred is the opposite, foreign subsidies have increased.
The response we got was not encouraging. Current USTR strategy is to negotiate subsidy reductions in the "aggregate", as opposed to addressing subsidies on a case by case basis. So, if a 20% reduction in subsidies was agreed to and the total U. S. subsidy to growers is $20 billion and the European Union (EU) total subsidy to growers is $200 billion the reduction would be $2 billion for the U. S. and $20 billion for the EU. Within this cap subsidies could be distributed freely. So, conceivably, Spanish olive growers could continue to get their full subsidy.
We stated our objection to this approach and asked them to reconsider the strategy of subsidy reduction on a case by case basis. If this is not possible we explained at a minimum we need more tools to fight unfair trade practices, which would include greater transparency of the subsidy process. Currently it is next to impossible to track EU subsidies from a member nation (i.e. Spain) to Spanish olive growers or processors. Also, we need a less expensive and less cumbersome procedure to challenge unfair trade practices.
Other issues raised in our meetings that will impact WTO negotiations are the Bush Administration's antiterrorism and security priorities, and the recent passage of the Farm Bill that increases domestic subsidies to U. S. farmers (Program Crops) by $70 billion over 10 years. Another troubling matter raised in our meeting with USDA FAS staff was the rumor that the Bush Administration is considering establishing a Free Trade Agreement with Morocco.
The second and third day of the trip were spent visiting California Congressional representatives who represent olive growing regions in California. Our meetings were with staff of the following representatives: Senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein; Congressmen Cal Dooley, Wally Herger, Doug Ose, Richard Pombo, George Radanovich, Bill Thomas, and Mike Thompson.
We discussed the trade issues mentioned above, as well as, the need for federal funding for Olive Fruit Fly (OFF) research, the need for emergency approval by U. S. EPA for a "bait & kill" trap and mechanical harvester research. OFF research funding has been requested by Congressman Bill Thomas in a letter to the House Appropriations Committee. Other signatories to the letter included the House representatives listed above. The proposal requests $876,600 for a variety of OFF projects including: continuing biological control research in France; continuing OFF integrated pest management research in Parlier, California; funding for OFF trapping activities; new funding to develop a computer model and information system that would provide growers with timely pest management data to be more effective in crop protection measures; and new funding for a collaborative project with U. C. Davis and USDA's Agricultural Research Service to focus on the biology and behavior of the OFF in different areas of California.
All of the people we spoke with were supportive of our positions and proposals and were willing to help us as we move forward. Especially helpful were staff members for Congressman Bill Thomas, Cal Dooley, Richard Pombo and Mike Thompson.
In summary, this was a good first step in establishing the California olive industry as a player in Washington D. C. As you know, in the political process, if you are not at the table you will more than likely be left behind. We plan to build upon the relationships that we developed both in the trade offices and Congress. This is only the beginning of a long road to resolving some of the California olive industry's challenges. With your support and a united effort by all segments of the olive industry we will be successful.
If you have questions, or would like more information please contact Bill Grigg at the California Olive Association, (916) 444-9260, or e-mail: billg@clfp.com.
A regional olive fly trapping and monitor program funded by the
California Olive Committee in Fresno was started in March 2001. This
program will monitor ten selected commercial olive groves in northern
Kern county to central Madera county throughout the 2001 season. Two
yellow panel sticky traps comprising one replicate are placed at each of
the five locations at each grove for a total of ten traps at each site.
One of the traps in each replicate is baited with only an ammonium
bicarbonate lure packet, the other trap is baited with ammonia plus the
spiroketal pheromone for attraction of male flies. The purpose of the
trap comparison is to determine at what time male flies begin to respond
in higher number to the traps with pheromone compared to the traps
without pheromone. In Europe, this increase usually occurs in late June
to early July. DowAgro or your local farm bureau may be contacted
regarding speciafic application information for GF-120 and NAF-550.
Traps with food attractant and OLF pheromone are available free of
charge from Ag Commisioner's offices for monitoring purposes only-one
per 40 acres. For mass trapping, growers will have to purchase traps.
The supplier of traps is Trece.