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        Art. 3 Chap. 10 Art. 1 3-1081

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PBW ID ppt

PRESENTATIONS

Dr. Robert Staten, USDA & Larry Antilla, US / Mexico ACRPC PBW Program at the Az. Cotton Growers Board meeting

PINK BOLLWORM ERADICATION PROGRAM 

POPULATION MONITORING  

Starting in 1991, the Arizona Cotton Research & Protection Council (ACRPC) annually conducts a statewide trapping survey to monitor the level of overwintering emergence of the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella. Pheromone baited delta sticky traps are deployed on approximately 10% of all cotton fields in Arizona, which are randomly selected by computer from the program’s MapInfo files. Traps are set at the accumulation of 500 heat units (from January 1) and are inspected weekly throughout the pink bollworm emergence cycle (approximately 2,250 heat units). This activity is designed to provide general baseline data on the survival levels of pink bollworm populations in localized agricultural areas through out the state. The data collected has proven to provide a historical perspective relative to trends in pink bollworm population dynamics.  Pictured above: Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) Larvae in Cotton Boll.

INTRODUCTION
Over the past 30 years, PBW has been the most serious cotton pest in Arizona, California and northwestern Mexico. In Arizona and southern California alone, more than 72 million acre equivalents of harsh pesticides have been applied at an estimated cost of $1.3 billion. Since its introduction into Arizona in 1996, Bt cotton has dramatically reduced pink bollworm populations. Technology fees, however, have cost Arizona growers more than $38 million, with the potential for future costs to exceed $4 million per year if utilized extensively throughout the region. Chemical control costs, should Bt develop resistance, would be even higher. Eradication is possible now, primarily due to Bt cotton, the most powerful control tool ever known, coupled with the additional complimentary control of sterile pink bollworm moths, pheromones, and extremely limited use of chemical pesticides.

EXPANSION OF AN EXISTING PROGRAM
Pink bollworm infested areas in west Texas, central/western New Mexico and the Mexican state of Chihuahua have, from 2001 to the present, progressively implemented area-wide eradication activities, leading to an 85-90% reduction in PBW populations in all areas.

PROGRAM SCOPE/TIMELINE/AND DURATION
Implementation of Arizona PBW eradication plan targets specific areas on a progressive basis. Area One (central and eastern Arizona) began in 2006; Area Two (LaPaz and Mohave counties) started in 2007, and Area Three (Yuma county) began in 2008. Arizona operational areas are scheduled to coincide with corresponding activities in Mexico and California. Program duration for each area would be four (4) years.

TECHNOLOGIES UTILIZED TO ACHIEVE ERADICATION
Bt cotton, pheromones, sterile PBW moth releases, limited use of chemical insecticides and intensive monitoring. All non-Bt cotton will receive season long PBW control using pheromone rope or sprayable pheromones applied early season. Late season applications of sprayable pheromone plus chemicals where needed may also be employed if necessary. Sterile pink bollworm moth releases will be conducted over all cotton to lower populations in non-Bt cotton, and prevent resistance from developing in Bt cotton. GPS mapping of all fields, pheromone trapping, and field inspections will provide monitoring data initiating control strategies.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
The Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council, composed of nine growers, shall have the responsibility for managing the Arizona Master Plan in consultation with the Arizona Pink Bollworm Eradication Committee, a special committee of the Arizona Cotton Growers Association. In addition, the plan envisions the opportunity for representatives from local grower groups to work with program managers and the Council on issues of implementation in each area. The program is to be governed by growers, with overall technical support provided by USDA/APHIS.

ELEMENTS NECESSARY FOR PROGRAM SUCCESS
1. Maximum use of Bt cotton is recommended. Although growers are free to plant any variety they choose, higher levels of

    Bt accelerate program effectiveness.
2. All growers in the area approved by referendum MUST participate in program (see Technologies section)
3. Full participation by Mexico
4. Adequate federal funding to cover costs of sterile moth component of program.

INFIELD REFUGE IN Bt PLANTINGS
Current strategies utilizing single or multiple non-Bt refuge rows across a Bt field will not be a feasible alternative in the early stages of PBW eradication.

PROGRAM FUNDING
1. Producer Funding:
    a. Bt growers will pay transgenic tech fees for all Bt acres planted on their farms, which will be considered their

        contribution to the program.
    b. Non-Bt growers will pay an assessment to the ACRPC of up to $32.00 per acre of non-Bt cotton grown each year to

        cover the costs of season long PBW control described in the “Technologies” section listed above.
2. Current Bale Assessment:
    Monitoring and management of the program will be paid through part of the existing bale assessment collected at the

    gins. It is expected that the cost of these activities would fall in the range of $3-5 per acre. This translates to an additional

    $1.25 per bale for areas included in the active eradication program.
3. Federal Funding:

    Sterile moth technology will be paid for by a direct appropriation of up to $6 million per year through USDA/APHIS.

POST ERADICATION MONITORING

Monitoring and limited sterile moth release activities are expected to cost approximately $5.00 per acre per year until no native populations of pink bollworm capable of re-infesting the eradicated areas remain in Mexico or the United States. These costs will be borne by the growers through either the bale assessment or a direct acreage assessment.

This program is a model partnership between government and industry. It utilizes environmentally benign technologies to eradicate a critical cotton pest, thereby eliminating the need for harsh pesticides. Resulting benefits of PBW eradication also include enhancements in conservation and air quality through reduced soil tillage requirements. As such, the program has no down side; only positive results for all participating partners. 

This page was modified January 2008