2017 ASHS Annual Conference

In Oregon, one of the more devastating pests in apple and pear trees is codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.). There is a wealth of information at hand for codling moth management in commercial fruit tree growing regions in Oregon; however very little information available for managing this pest in the high desert environment of Central Oregon. In an effort to assist backyard gardeners in managing this insect, we initiated Project Happy Apples. The objectives of this project are to determine if time-sensitive email notifications I) increase participants’ ability to recognize codling moth and/or codling moth damage on fruit 2) increase participants’ awareness of when to monitor and manage for codling moth 3) increase participants’ confidence in purchasing, using and implementing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. We emailed monthly information sheets to participants. Each sheet included timely information, potentially including photographs of the pest, pest damage, and IPM strategies. Updates also included action items suggested for a specific date range, the cost of supplies and outlets where suggested items were available. In 2015, we did a soft launch of this project partway through the growing season. The following year, 301 participants signed up to receive emails and we had 1739 website hits. In November of 2016, we emailed an 11-question survey to participants and had 32 respondents. Survey results indicated that 81% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that because of reading the monthly emails they found themselves having an increased level of confidence in making pest management decisions. Sixty-nine percent of participants agreed or strongly agreed they were successful in reducing the codling moth population in their yards as compared to taking no action. Sixty-six percent of participants agreed or strongly agreed their pest management practices were more effective than they would have been prior to participating in this project. Sixty-three percent of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that their pest management practices were more environmentally friendly than they would have been prior to project participation. Ninety-seven percent of participants felt a slightly to much higher knowledge level in knowing when to put up physical barriers for the management of codling moth. Ninety-one percent of participants felt a slightly to much higher knowledge level in knowing when to apply an insecticide for codling moth. Results suggest that this project was successful in increasing participants’ knowledge of pest identification, pest damage and timely IPM strategies.