Effect of Neem (Azad/Rachtaindica A. Juss.) Seed Extract on Birch Leafminer, New York, 1986

A 200 x 50m nursery planting of paper birches in Dansville, NY was used for experiments. Trees were 6 years old, 3-4m tall, and were planted in clumps of 3 spaced lm apart in 5 rows that ran the length of the planting. On the east and west ends of the planting, 30 trees were randomly assigned to a spray date and treatment (5 trees/treatment/spray date). Five branches (0.5m long) at breast height were sprayed on each tree. Sprays were applied with 1 1 hand-held sprayers. The upper foliar surface was sprayed to drip. Trees were sprayed with 1% neem seed extract, Metasystox-R, or water on 3 May (oviposition) and on 10 May (early instar). On 22 May all treated branches were harvested. All foliage from each branch was removed, weighed and placed on the surface of a 2.5cm layer of damp Promix-BM ™ in a plastic tray indoors (18-23°C). On 31 May, all foliage was discarded and each tray was placed in a sealed plastic bag. Adults emerged in late Jun and were counted.