Science In Our Valley: Netting Applications

Science In Our Valley is a series of weekly seminars free and open to the public. Each series features the research of local scientists and invited guest speakers. The purpose of the series to encourage the development of an engaged regional scientific community and share the incredible research happening in our own backyard. Netting Applications for Insect Management in Apple Orchards with Adrian Marshall Washington orchardists have begun employing shade netting structures to protect their fruit from sunburn. Certain shade netting structures can create a barrier to insect pests, such as codling moth and stink bugs in apple orchards. We conducted field trials to test the ability of commercial shade netting to prevent codling moth and stink bug damage at the WSU research orchard and commercial apple blocks in Manson, WA. These trials indicated that direct pest densities and damage were lower in netted plots than in the conventional plots and the untreated plots. However, non-target effects were apparent and need to be carefully considered in future management programs.