Researcher, Ph.D.
450 653-7368
ext 360
Researcher, agr., Ph.D.
450 653-7368
ext 340
This pan-Canadian project conducted in Ontario, Québec, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick focuses on strategies for controlling three key pests in apple production. These strategies will result in a lower environmental impact and improvements in production efficiency. The targeted pests are apple maggot, apple leafcurling midge, and obliquebanded leafroller.
From 2018 to 2023
Project duration
Fruit production
Activity areas
Pest, weed, and disease control
Service
This project aims to develop environmentally sound methods for controlling apple pests.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture | Canadian Horticultural Council | Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
IRDA produced posters to help producers and extension agents choose pest and disease control strategies that promote the use of IPM.
Researcher: Annabelle Firlej
Exclusion nets have proven to be effective against nearly all of these insect pests, which means that it’s possible to develop apple growing practices in Québec that are not only neonicotinoid free, but also devoid of all pesticides (including acaricides, given that mite problems are a consequence of broad-spectrum insecticide use). Although the net exclusion microsystem studied in Québec since 2012 has demonstrated its effectiveness in controlling insect pests, some issues remain to be studied before it can be unreservedly recommended. Among these are the handling times for the nets, i.e., installation/removal and opening/closing, and the system’s profitability and durability over the long haul for various cultivars.
Researcher: Mikaël Larose
Validation and adaptation of pest and disease monitoring and decision support tools.
Researcher: Annabelle Firlej