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http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend June 14, 2006 Orchardists lose weapon against moths By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune A common pesticide tool used by Rogue Valley orchardists to contain codling moths is on its way out after seven decades of use. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency posted an announcement earlier this month that it would phase out azinphos-methyl, commonly known by its trade name Guthion, by 2010. Phosmet, commonly known as Imidan, will face tougher restrictions on use. The move was the result of a settlement earlier this year in a suit filed by the United Farm Workers, Earthjustice and other groups against the EPA in Seattle over the use of azinphos-methyl and phosmet. Pear and apple growers rely on the pesticides to kill codling moths, which lay eggs on or near the fruit. Once hatched, the offspring burrow into the fruit, leaving, for example, wormy apples. National Agricultural Statistics Service records show 68 percent of Oregon pears were sprayed with Guthion in 2003. Local growers have either reduced or discontinued use of Guthion in the years since Congress passed the Food Quality Protection Act in 1996. Guthion, principally produced by Bayer CropScience in Germany, and Imidan, made by Jowan Corp. of Yuma, Ariz., are the two most common organophosphates used on tree fruit, said Rick Hilton, entomologist at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center in Central Point. "Historically azinphos-methyl is used more, but it's also more highly toxic," Hilton said. "We don't use it like we did 10, 20 or 30 years ago. Imidan will get more restrictions, but won't be phased out. It will become the big hammer in the arsenal. We will have alternatives, but if we need something big to stop coddling moth, they will still have that available." Luis Balero, orchard superintendent for Phoenix-based Associated Fruit, said Guthion is used in the first of four annual sprays to fight off coddling worms. Hilton said Guthion costs $20 to $30 per acre per application. "We use 21„2 pounds per acre in the first spray in May then we go with Calypso," said Balero, referring to a pesticide effective against coddling moths that is from a different chemical group. A May 8 Cornell University report said Calypso controls pests on contact and in the pests' stomachs. Calypso has a low acute toxicity to warm-blooded animals. On pears, it is active against pear psylla, aphids, codling moth, mealybugs, leafminers and the pear midge. It will also suppress scale insects on pears. "Calypso is pretty soft compared to Guthion," said Salvador Velasco, who oversees Associated Fruit's spraying. "We'll need more of it and spray more often. We'll be spraying every two weeks instead of four weeks." Harry & David Holdings' Bear Creek Orchards moved away from Guthion and codling moth spray when health concerns were raised about eight years ago, said senior Vice President Ron Henri. "Mostly we rely upon the mating confusion method for disrupting the codling moth life cycle," Henri said. "Fewer eggs are laid that would otherwise produce the classic fruit worm associated with wormy apples or pears. The method involves clipping pheromone-impregnated tags onto trees throughout the orchard, creating multiple false leads for the males seeking females, reducing the chances of a successful introduction. It's sort of a reverse-Match.com effort." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or at [email protected] Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Casino Reviews