Tobacco Insect Activity and Research Projects

— Written By Peter Nelson and last updated by Hannah Burrack
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I’m Pete Nelson, a graduate student in the Entomology Department, co-advised by Drs. Hannah Burrack and Clyde Sorenson. My dissertation research is focused on assessing the impacts of various tobacco production practices, including insecticide use, on predatory insects.

Earlier this week I was checking my plots at the Cunningham Research Station and Upper Coastal Plain Research Station and found several insects on the plants. Flea beetles were feeding on plants, but their damage was influenced by plot treatments. In the first treatment, I applied the systemic neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid to plants in the greenhouse. Virtually all conventionally grown tobacco in North Carolina are treated in this manner to control for early season pests including aphids, flea beetles, and the spread of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus by thrips. In the second treatment, I applied the same insecticide to plants at transplant. A third treatment received no insecticide application. In the images below, flea beetle feeding damage is apparent in the second and third treatments and is absent in the first treatment, illustrating the usefulness of the imidacloprid in early season applications.

Kinston greenhouse treated plants

Recently planted tobacco at the Lower Coastal Plain Research Station, Kinston, NC. This plant was treated with imidacloprid in the greenhouse prior to transplant. Photo: Pete Nelson.

This plant was treated with imidacloprid at transplant. Photo: Pete Nelson.

This plant was treated with imidacloprid at transplant. Photo: Pete Nelson.

This plant has not been treated with insecticides. Photo: Pete Nelson.

This plant has not been treated with insecticides. Photo: Pete Nelson.

Lady beetles are beneficial insects or natural enemies of tobacco pests. This lady beetle is likely looking for aphids to feed upon. Imidacloprid’s impact on predatory insects in tobacco has not been fully assessed and future posts by myself will focus on this.

Lady beetle on recently planted tobacco plant. Photo: Pete Nelson.

Lady beetle on recently planted tobacco plant. Photo: Pete Nelson.

Updated on May 24, 2016
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