No abstract

New Zealand flower thrips (NZFT Thrips obscuratus (Crawford)) were exposed to a range of ethyl formate (EF) and pyrethrumbased postharvest treatments on apricots Research showed that EFCO2 or EFN2 were effective treatments against NZFT and caused negligible damage to apricot fruit quality However pyrethrum dipping did not effectively control NZFT and caused significant internal damage to apricot fruit Lethal concentration (LC99) estimates were developed for adult and larval NZFT using a range of EF concentrations (0127 EFCO2) and temperatures (5 15 and 25C) It is estimated that treatments of 1 (307 g/m3) EF at 5 or 25C or a higher concentration of 15 (463 g/m3) at 15C will achieve 99 mortality of NZFT adults and larvae on apricot fruit with 95 confidence

Ethyl formate (EF) is a generally recognised as safe (GRAS) compound that can be applied as a fumigant to disinfest fresh produce This paper reports initial research to determine the dose responses of various pests to ethyl formatecarbon dioxide treatment during 1 2 3 and 4h treatments at ambient temperatures between 18 and 23C Thrips (mixtures of Thrips tabaci and Frankliniella occidentalis) on lupin flowers obscure mealybugs (Pseudococcus viburni) on potatoes and greedy scale (Hemiberlesia rapax) on potatoes were more susceptible than either lightbrown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana) eggs on plastic and fifth instar larvae on apples or codling moth (Cydia pomonella) second/ third instars and fifth instars on apples Further efficacy studies are warranted to investigate the commercial viability of EFCO2 treatment of fresh produce against other pests effects on fruit quality and commercial application logistics

No abstract

The bacterium Xylella fastidiosa is a causal agent of Pierce’s disease in grapevines and is considered to be vectored by several xylem-feeding insects. Xylella fastidiosa and its primary insect vector Homalodisca vitripennis are not currently present in New Zealand, but considered a biosecurity threat to the wine industry. Should it be introduced, infection and dispersal of X. fastidiosa within New Zealand vineyards could occur through extant vectors, especially spittlebugs. Electrical Penetration Graph technology was used to compare the feeding behaviour of three spittlebug species (Philaenus spumarius, Carystoterpa fingens and Carystoterpa minor) on grape (Vitis vinifera Sauvignon blanc) and their original host plants. Results suggest that Philaenus spumarius feeds on grape more than the other two spittlebug species. As Philaenus spumarius has been reported as a vector of X. fastidiosa, their potential to transmit the bacterium into grapevines is discussed based on the real feeding times recorded by EPG.

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Root crops are major food crops and export commodities in the South Pacific However the presence of mites and nematodes results in rejection or treatment of these crops exported to New Zealand Current disinfestation methods relying on fumigation result in shorter produce shelf life This paper summarises the organisms intercepted on root crops from the Pacific Islands and sent for identification in New Zealand with particular reference to mites and nematodes Results of a laboratory experiment examining the response of representative mite and nematode species to hot water treatment indicated times of less than 4 min at 48C or 2 min at 49C resulted in 99 mortality The implications of these heat treatments for root crops are discussed Additionally rearing methods are presented for two mite species a mould mite and a bulb mite These species will be relevant for use in future New Zealand and Pacific Island disinfestation studies

The bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae biovar 3 (Psa) causes significant economic losses in the kiwifruit industry. This pathogen can overwinter in kiwifruit without the plant showing visible symptoms. Molecular tools, developed to detect this pathogen from cultures, had not previously been tested at an orchard level on dormant winter vines. This epidemiological study aimed to detect and quantify the inoculum present on established vines over winter, targeting the areas of the scion on the pergola. The experiment was conducted on female and male vines of four cultivars: Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis 'Zesy002' (commonly called Gold3), A. chinensis var. chinensis 'Zesy003' (Gold9), A. chinensis var. deliciosa 'Hayward' , and A. chinensis var. chinensis x A. chinensis var. deliciosa 'Zesh004' (Green14). Psa biovar 3 was detected on the vines of all four cultivars, with quantification of the inoculum load (cfu/ml) estimated. Inoculum in all four cultivars increased from winter to spring and inoculum was distributed unevenly around the cankers. This research indicates Psa can be present in asymptomatic tissue, suggesting management of the vines for Psa needs to occur over the winter.Liotryphon caudatus was introduced into New Zealand to control codling moth (CM; Cydia pomonella) in the early 1900s. As part of ongoing research into the biological control of CM, a laboratory colony of L. caudatus was established from field-collected adults, reared on diapausing CM larvae. The longevity and fecundity of laboratory-reared L. caudatus adults were measured at 23±1°C and 16 h photoperiod. Longevity in a non-host environment was measured by holding a newly emerged female and a male in a container with water and food. Survival of 18 pairs was monitored daily. The food and water in the containers were refreshed regularly. The fecundity and the longevity of females were measured by providing five diapausing CM larvae to each of nine mated females (age 7-10 days) in a similar container with food and water. The CM larvae were replaced every 48 hours until the females were dead. In the non-host environment, the mean longevity of a female and a male was 52.8±3.1 and 40.5±1.5 days respectively. In the host environment, the mean longevity of a reproducing female was 81.2±6.5 days, with a mean fecundity of 150.8±24.1 eggs. These findings will facilitate ongoing investigations of the interactions between L. caudatus and Mastrus ridens, a recently released gregarious ectoparasitoid of codling moth, in apple-growing areas where L. caudatus has already established.